TLC Rant and Rave

"The deepest principle in human nature is the craving for appreciation." - William James

I have discovered the single most cost effective client management system in the world and I want to share it with everyone!  I can’t believe how great it is!   

Send Out Cards – maybe you’ve heard of it?  It’s a company based in Salt Lake City Utah and the founder of the company believes that we should act on our promptings!

What’s a prompting?  Well the Founder and CEO of Send Out Cards Kody Bateman was prompted to go and say goodbye to his brother when he was being transferred out of state.  He ignored that prompting.  Two months later his brother was dead and Kody Bateman would have to live with his regret.  Because of that Kody Bateman made a promise to his brother to never ignore those promptings again, and Send Out Cards is the result of that promise!

What I love about this company is the simplicity, but more importantly the philosophies behind it.  This truly is a company that was created to improve the world – and they’re doing that one card at a time.

The system is simple.  Make someone – a fellow human being – feel good and special by sending a card.  Send Out Cards makes this so easy for you because its all done on your computer so that the instant you have a prompting, you no longer have to go the store, purchase a card, take it home, write in the card, stuff the envelope, address and stamp the envelope, get to a post office box and mail the envelope.  All you have to do is access your contacts already stored within the system, choose your card, type a heart felt message that can be printed with your OWN HANDWRITING and press send.  Send Out Cards takes care of the rest!

As a Realtor I’ve been looking high and low for a cost-effective client management system that isn’t just another money grab.  This system is not only user friendly; it will actually make YOU FEEL GOOD every time you utilize it! 

You can use it for personal use, to send your mom a Mother’s Day card or all of your Christmas cards within minutes, or particularly for Realtors, to reach out to your clients to make a more meaningful and personal connection for a fraction of the cost.  I guarantee your client’s will feel so valued as a result.  You can even customize the cards with personal pictures.  Imagine taking a picture of your client in front of their new home and creating a card!  That's PERSONAL!  That's POWERFUL!!

I was pitching this company to everyone I know, and decided that it is a wonderful compliment to my Real Estate business and so now I am a licensed distributor for Send Out Cards. 

If you are remotely interested in learning more about the system please check out my website: www.sendoutcards.com/59960
(Send Out Cards Teri Conrad) and send out a card for free on me to sample the system.  Simply sign up for a free guest account and follow the instructions.  I promise there are no pressure sales or gimmicks and I’ll be happy to walk you through the system or help you in any way I can. 

Maya Angelou says:  “People will forget what you say.  People will forget what you do.  But People will always remember how you made them feel.”  This is my philosophy!  I’m proud to be connected to this wonderful company and ask only that you take a moment to visit my site.
www.sendoutcards.com/59960
Feel free to contact me anytime
Teri Conrad
Cell: 778.887.8374

The Vancouver Province reported on the weekend about the 'Rising Tide of Evictions from BC Trailer Parks' and how many of our seniors in their 'Golden Years' may be rendered homeless.
If any of you have read my blogs before, you'll know this is a subject that I'm passionate about.  There are so many people on a fixed income as well as many face health issues and one day it will be YOU!
At least 30 mobile home parks are facing closures the story reports with the land the parks sit on becoming more valuable to sell to developers than to continue to operate as parks.
Many of the residents (as per the Land Transfer Form Act) are being told to vacate and surrender therir home without compensation when the lease expires.  Several of these residents have resided in their homes for years and couldn't possibly afford to relocate. 
BC Housing Minister Rich Coleman made no comment in regards to this story, but I myself have spoken to him in regards to rental assistance programs and other housing issues. He had very little to say to me as well.

Imagine it's your parent who's worked hard all their life, paid into a pension but by the time they are eligible to collect the rate of inflation and the cost of living has far surpassed their income.  Their health is failing and much of their income goes towards drugs and treatments not covered by Heath Care.  And now they face eviction from their HOME!
Something must be done! The Government is too 'cookie cutter'/ formula driven/ and disconnected from REALITY!  One of these days it's going to touch someone you know! 

Contact Teri with any comments or questions!

Affordable housing is a major issue in lower Mainland BC.  Carol James - provincial leader of NDP called on the Liberal government to stop spending money on PR ads and put some towards housing.  I have to admit, there is a real disconnect here.

I recently heard Honorable Rich Coleman MLA speak at a Chamber of Commerce meeting regarding this initiatives of the Liberal government.  As Minister of Housing he was touting his rental assistance subsidy.  In theory it's great.  All those who make less than $35,000 a year qualify.  Who the hell can live on $35,000 a year???  Meanwhile there's a large percentage of people who thankfully make more than that but of course don't qualify. 

I have several clients who are just coming through a divorce and after all bills are paid will not be able to afford to remain in the market.  One client had to rent at $1700/month which ate up practically all of her earnings!

On the heels of the Supreme Court's decision regarding tent cities and people's right to camp out, it seems insane to me that we haven't yet made homelessness and the cost of housing a major priority here in lower Mainland.

The sun was shining!  That's my excuse!  And since I live in Langley (Greater Vancouver) and WHO KNOWS when I'll see the sun again, I simply jumped at the opportunity to take this fat ass out for a walk!  Had my Ipod blasting - great music and a vision of my slimmer self pushing me forward!  The last hill was a killer but I powered through it!  By the time I got home, my ass was 'screaming' at me!  I told it to relax...we'd go right back to sitting - just the way we both like it!

So Kudos to my new friend Joel McDonald who commented on my screaming ass on Twitter and suggested that it would make for funny blog and also added this funny:

Why don't they allow donkeys in University?

...

...

...because NO ONE likes a SMART ASS!! 

Oh Joel - You KILL me!!  :)

No kidding!  You know that 'obligated by law' social survey Stats Can sent notice about in the mail?  Well today they called!  It freakin took 45 minutes!  I almost bailed but the guy guilted me...and he was sweet too...so my patriotic duty prevailed.

Here's where it gets interesting!  Your federal government wants to first understand your social networks....which I found interesting especially since we're all about social networking on here - BUT they want to know the nitty gritties about your family and friends. For instance, when things are bad do you feel that you have a strong support base?  Beyond that they want to know how often you connect; by phone; email or other!

I kept thinking about business and how so many of my connections are virtual ones!  And like a typical government survey there were no allowances for variables.  For instance:  on a scale from 1 - 5, 1 being never and 5 being always, do you trust your family?  What the heck kind of question is that?  Do they mean my kids?  my parents?  my siblings?  My mate?  Good grief - and let me tell you - We're ALL OVER THE BOARD on that one!

How about your coworkers?  Well geepers - some I would trust completely and others NEVER AGAIN!!!!  (don't ask!)

Then there were the really interesting questions about what types of behaviors you can justify.  For example:

    WOULD YOU LIE?

Again, scale of 1 - 5, 1 being never and 5 being always, would you lie to protect your own interests???? 

Your Government WANTS TO KNOW!

Tack on to the end that they ask your sexual preference and your household income - I think it's fair to say that Big Brother is Clearly watching! 

My advice: Don't answer the phone!!!

oh ya - and Don't LIE!

Cheers!

TLC

I know we work in a litigious field, but c'mon!  Is it me or is everyone going a little nuts?  I know as a buyer today you have tons of options and your expectations are high - and that's just the name of the game right now, but being so nit picky and nickle and diming all the sellers is getting a little out of hand in my opinion!

Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean that you SHOULD.

I have applied this logic to divorce as well - (pardon me while I do a little rant) but it seems to me that people these days are all about getting something for nothing!  In terms of divorce - just because you shared a life does not mean you should be tied together eternally and that you are OWED something!  Get out and do for yourself!  Have some dignity!  Just because some random financial table says you're entitled to an extra $300 a month doesn't mean you should go after it!  I mean is it really worth it?  Wouldn't you rather be independent and respectful and NOT greedy?

Apparently I am alone in this thinking.  Everyone seems to be all about 'ME ME ME'!  I freakin hate it!  What happened to using common sense and integrity and ethical choices and treating others as you wish to be treated?  There's a lot of talk about Karma, but so many people seem to think it only applies when they want it to!

So back to Real Estate:  There will always be the possibility that something can go wrong in a deal.  It is my job to protect your interests, but it stinks that every time you ask me a question I have to direct you to go to your lawyer to cover my butt!  Wouldn't it be nice if we could just be honest and use some common sense and not go looking for who to blame should something go wrong.  Don't get me wrong - take action if you're being screwed - but BE REASONABLE people! 

That's my opinion anyway.

Scarcity!  Ewwwwwww....scary word!  Implies there just isn't enough for everyone - and in this market...That wouldn't be good!  I mean I know we're all supposed to be so grateful for everything, especially right after Thanksgiving (Go Canada - Whoohoo!) but hey - the gravy train is slowin down!  (Not to mix metaphors!) 

I heard some realtors from my office mention that they wouldn't WANT listings in this market!  Nothing's moving and it only amounts to carrying costs and had another realtor choked with me because I drastically reduced one of my listings and she has one in same complex.  Time to wake up and smell the coffee! (Don't you just love the theme of my metaphors??  All food!!) 

Seriously - let's NOT all just panic!  Back to basics people!  Remember - we're in the RELATIONSHIP business!  We protect our client's interests and we can continue to do that even amidst all the chaos!  Ride the wave! There's enough business for everyone and although the market has shifted, we are still in a healthy economy and the trick is to support eachother and focus on the future!

Relax people - there's enough pie for everyone!  Heck - you can have mine - I don't even LIKE pie!

Cheers!

This is was the question that came up yesterday at a meeting for the Communications Committee for my Board.  We have been mandated to come up with directives that will improve the image of Realtors to the public.  You wouldn't believe how difficult this is proving to be. 

Through much debate we have concluded that the primary difference between our profession and that of other professional industries such as lawyers or doctors (who carry the same level or less liability) is that matter of taking an oath.  What do you think? Could a simple oath be all that separates the degree of professionalism? 

Then there's the matter of income.  The general public perceives us as money grabbers...however unlike lawyers they feel free to try and negotiate our commission down.  We don't ask for a retainer.  Hmmmm.

So back to the question.  What is your job exactly?  When a group of Realtors were asked there were many different answers:  I'm a consultant/facilitator; I help my clients buy and sell homes; I'm a marriage counsellor (Holla!!! hehe).  All right answers...however my Chair of the committee has concluded that really our job is: To protect the interests of my client.  Simple.

So there it is.  Now imagine if every Realtor actually wrote that into their listing agreement.  I think we'll see a lot of Realtors not want to take on that level of liability but when you think about it, you are anyway.  It's stated (here in BC) with our Working with a Realtor® brochure. And if we all presented ourselves with that as our main job, imagine the level of integrity we would earn in the Public's eye? 

Food for thought...comments?

...so had to put our poor little bunny down this morning. *sigh*  I felt sick about it.  She was the cutest little thing with a very easy going personality.  I have never had pets so it comes as a bit of a shock how attached I was.  As I stood by her while the vet injected her and she left us I started to cry.  It was so sad to me how short her little life was and I hoped she was not in any more pain and wondered if she had felt loved.

She was my son's bunny and I have to tell him when he gets home from school.  He doesn't even know that I took her to the vet.  She had a bad fall and had internal bleeding.  Her lungs were full and she could barely breathe.  Almost immediately as soon as I got her to the vet she started to really deteriorate and he said it was like she was just waiting to get there. 

I have never felt connected to animals - I've always looked at them as added responsibility, mess, smell and of course cost.  But I didn't blink when the vet asked if I wanted an xray and then I could have let her die on her own or give her the injection - and it made me sick to think it comes down to money.  So I spent $220 to ease her discomfort and watch her die. 

To all you pet owners that I've never understood, I get it now.

(now have to devestate son. blech)

You know...it's a frustrating thing when your client believes and understands that you're a professional and clearly can offer advice and direction and a service that they themselves can not provide, and then can't or won't accept your direction.

We're currently investigating the perceived image of a Realtor® as part of the Communications Committee with The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. 

Gee - are we surprised that most consumers rate us right up there with lawyers and car salesmen just waiting to get our grubby hands on their hard earned dollars and weasle them into some sort of situation where they feel out of control.

Ok technically I guess I'm rambling about two different subjects - but to me its all tied together.  If we are a profession were able to alter the perception of the public  - to increase our value, imagine what that would do for business.  Imagine sitting with your client and they accept you at your word the first time so that you're able to price more effectively and make adjustments more easily without feeling like you're trying to rob them blind...

I am making a plea to fellow Realtors to please operate with integrity.  Allow the profession to regain it's legitimacy. It's what's best for all of us.