Ellicott City Realtor Catonsville Realtor

I thought I'd share with you a somewhat different take on getting what you want in the upcoming year.  Towards the end of every year, I sit down and write a story about the things I would like to have happen in the new year.  To me, this sets my unconscious mind in motion toward being, having and doing the things that bring me joy.

I write the story in the past tense, as though it has already happened.  I seal the story in an envelope, and then open it on the first day of the following year, to see what came true for me.

Examples of things that I might write about are that I made a certain amount of money, created value for people, started a new foundation, found a new church, went on a certain trip or vacation.

This method of setting a goal or expectation has no measurement, and no pressure.  I put it out there, seal it up, and see what happens.

What things would you write in your letter?

What I'm thankful for:

My wife, my family and my dogs

My health - I went to the doctor last week, as I have done for the last 12 years, and I continue to be cancer free.

My clients - I am grateful to have clients that I consider friends. I am grateful that my friends trust me, know that I am here for them, that I will return their calls, and that they can refer people to me and know I will be there for those people as well.

My colleagues - I am grateful for all the Realtors that I have worked with this year that have been great to deal with

Myself - I've developed good habits for prioritizing the most important things I need to accomplish each day, and I have also created the habit of taking time to be thankful daily.

On vacation in Ocean City, MD:

 

Thank you to everyone who participated in my contest.

Congratulations to the winners - Kevin and Sue Hartman!  $150 to Ship's Cafe in Catonsville, MD - Enjoy!

This past Saturday morning I was out on my bike riding on Route 40 in Ellicott City, MD and here comes a puke yellow pickup truck with a flashing yellow light:  the tell-tale sign of a state employee.  The truck pulls into the large, grassy median, and the driver jumps out of his truck and yanks out two directional signs - the kind builders use to advertise new homes and direct buyers to their model - and throws them into the back of his trunk.

My first thought was to get a picture, and I reached for my cell phone, but I was on my bike, on a busy highway shoulder, and you could imagine how that went.  But as I rode, I started to think about what I saw, and what the sign laws are in Howard County.  The sign law, as pertaining to Real Estate signs, from the Howard County Sign Code Section 503e states that directional signs permitting open houses, or those that builders typically use to direct to their models are permitted from 4pm Friday until noon the following Monday.

As I was in my car on my way to work, he was still there on Route 40, still hard at work pulling signs.  I thought if I saw him again, I'd love to get a photo of this.  But I missed:

What really bothered me about this is that I've worked for builders in the past and we always abided by by the sign law.  Builders rely heavily on these signs to get prospective buyers to their models.  So here's a guy who works for the state and is taking his orders from whoever, on a Saturday, probably getting overtime, on our tax dollars.  Our tax dollars that pay for his salary, his uniform, and his puke yellow truck.

Now, my question is, isn't the real estate market tough enough right now without having to deal with this bureaucracy?  When I called on Monday, I couldn't find anyone to talk to about it, and that's as far as it went.

I want to know what you think - is just doing your job enough right now?

 

This is a great community event, which really shows what Catonsville is - a friendly, fun loving town.

Come to the free live concert every Friday Night in downtown Catonsville, MD.  The show starts at 6:30 p.m.  This week's band is Bill Dickson & the MTT.

For more information visit www.billsmusiconline/frederickroadfridays.html

PS-We had a great time in Deep Creek.  For those of you who may be thinking about buying a resort property, the prices have come down significantly and now is a great time.

 

I’m going away to Deep Creek to spend time with my motley family: my lovely wife, my stepson and his partner, and four dogs.

While I’m there I’m also going to look at 50 acres for sale. I would love to purchase this land, build a second home for myself and sell the remaining lots so others could do the same.

There are opportunities in vacation homes right now as prices for these properties have declined steeply in recent months.

If you know your goals, there are opportunities everywhere you look. The important thing is to actually be looking for them.

See you in Deep Creek!

People ask me all the time if it's stressful being a real estate agent, and if I work seven days a week.  My answers are yes, and no.  The job that I do can be stressful at times, but I've managed to create a system to support myself so that the stress doesn't get to me, and so that I'm not working around the clock.

Each night I take a moment to plan for the next day.  I think of where I need to go, who I need to see and what I need to get done.  For me, this eliminates the anxiety of having to figure out how to do everything as it comes at me, and I get a better night's sleep if I have a plan for the next day.

I make time to get vigorous exercise about 3 - 4 times a week.  I try to go to the gym in the morning, or find time to go jogging, biking, or anything aerobic.  It's a great way to burn off stress.

I also take time every day to meditate.  For 20 minutes a day I sit in silence.  If you're interested, send me an email and I can recommend some great books.

I make time for my hobbies.  For me, it's learning to play the piano, or golfing, or biking.  For you, it can be anything you do that is not work related or a "to do".  Something you do just for fun, something you have a passion for.  Think about what you love to do, and make time to do it.

I'm always interested in hearing your ideas of how you manage stress.  Leave me a comment and let me know the things you do to keep stress in check.

In the Real Estate Market there needs to be genuine teamwork. Teamwork between REALTORS and clients, teamwork amongst REALTORS in each transaction, and teamwork between REALTORS and the other Real Estate Professionals that make each deal happen.

Lessons from the geese says it best:

Geese