Tag Archives: United States

Wow…just Wow…

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Yes, as they say in the real estate industry, I drank the Keller Williams kool-aid.  While we are a fantastic company, with lots of great training and opportunities for mentorship and coaching, that’s not why I chose this company…no, the events of today just prove to me what an amazing company and group of people I work with and I couldn’t be prouder to be associated with them!

Today was our City Wide Thanksgiving luncheon, a giant pitch in for all our local offices and always a lot of fun.  During the luncheon, the orchestra from Hamilton Southeastern High School entertained and a representative for the St. Mary’s Child Center spoke about their mission and the needs of many of the children they serve.

For the last several years, our office has supported 2 children for Christmas, yesterday our MCA opened the wish to support 10 children this year…at $100 a child and then the most amazing thing happened…the agents from our office Keller Williams IndyMetro Northeast office started the challenge – real estate teams pledging money to support 1 child and it kept moving from there!  Wallets and checkbooks came out and by the time the lunch was over…35 kids are going to have Christmas, thanks to this amazing group of agents!  The money is still coming in and we look forward more money coming in before Wednesday next week!

To share even more about how this touched everyone in the room, the HSE orchestra gave the donation we had given them to entertain…to the cause!  What a great generous heart from the young people, recognizing what they can do for others.

Tell me…do you work with such generous people?  What are do doing to support those less fortunate than you this year?

thanksgiving

Vicki Reed

Happy Labor day…do you know why today is a holiday????

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From the U.S. Department of Labor Website:

LABOR DAY: WHAT IT MEANS

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

LABOR DAY LEGISLATION

Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From these, a movement developed to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

FOUNDER OF LABOR DAY

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.”More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

But Peter McGuire’s place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

THE FIRST LABOR DAY

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a “workingmen’s holiday” on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

A NATIONWIDE HOLIDAY

The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

So what are your plans for this holiday?

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Vicki Reed

 

Spring Selling Season Arrives Early!

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Winter finally seems to have broken and the temps seem to be on the upswing!  Homes in the hot areas are already moving quickly in the Indianapolis and surrounding areas.  If you’re thinking this spring is a good time to starting looking for a house, you aren’t alone. That’s the problem. Your dream house, which might have been easy enough for you to grab a few years ago, is being eyed by other potential buyers.

IT IS A SELLER’S MARKET!  Whether you are a first time buyer or a move-up/down buyer, you must have everything in order prior to viewing homes!  Gone are the days of getting your financing in order after you found the home of your dreams, in order to make the home buying process run as smoothly as possible, follow these simple tips and LISTEN TO YOUR REALTOR!:

1. Get your financing lined up.  You may not worry about being turned down by the mortgage lender, but the seller doesn’t know that. The seller may also be in a hurry to hand you the keys. YOU HAVE TO BE PRE-APPROVED FOR YOUR MORTGAGE!  There are 2 numbers when you are dealing with your financing – first is the number your lender approves you for and second is the number you are comfortable spending!  The lender may say you can spend $300,000, but what does that mean to your monthly budget?  Working with a lender will help you decide what the right number is – contact Pat Hammer at Waterstone Mortgage and get started today!

2. Try to find out why the seller is selling. Buying and selling homes are emotional decisions, an emotional seller versus a nonemotional seller will react to different things.  If you have sellers who raised their kids in the house and lived there for most of their lives, they may appreciate a buyer who will do the same. Sending a personal letter with your offer may move you to the front of the pack!

3. Be flexible.  If you’re competing against other buyers, be as accommodating as possible.  Be flexible on closing dates and occupancy, the goal is for you to get the home of your dreams, and see number 1…a mortgage contingency allows buyers to back out of the deal if they can’t get financing for the house. Sellers don’t like mortgage contingencies – they don’t want to wave off potential buyers only to learn that their buyer can’t actually purchase the house.

 4. Sweeten the deal.  In a hot market, it is not uncommon to offer over list price, how much more is up to you, but even another $500 might get the seller’s attention.  You could also consider waiving the appraisal. That means if the bank determines the house isn’t worth the purchase price you and the seller agreed to, and it won’t lend you all of the money to cover it, you’ll have to make up the difference – provided you have the funds, of course.

5. Be fast. This is a big decision and you likely don’t want to rush, but if you know you can afford the house and you love it and the neighborhood, then, yes, you probably should rush.  In an age of instantaneous communication, minutes count and can make the difference between an accepted or rejected offer.  Make certain your agent uses the most current technology such as electronic signatures, in order to ensure immediate responses.

6. Be bold. If you really want the house, don’t get too cute and make a lowball offer, thinking there will be a lot of negotiation. You should suggest something close to the price the homeowner is expecting, or risk your offer being ignored. And this isn’t the time to be petty – or cheap, don’t haggle over $500 on a $200,000 deal.

7. Provide good customer service. Wait, isn’t that the seller’s job? You would hope so, but in a competitive market, it comes down to thinking of the homeowner as your customer. You’ll get his business (well, the house) if you’re personable, easy to work with and able to offer a good deal. Of course, you want to make sure you don’t offer the seller such an amazing deal that you hate yourself the day after closing. You want the welcome mat – what you don’t want is to be a doormat.

I can help you meet your goals and provide excellent guidance through what is one of the most important purchases of your life…call, text or email me!

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Vicki Reed

Goodbye old friends…

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Ever have a television show that felt like an old friend, taught you a lot about how to appropriately dress the body God gave you and provided lots of laughs, fashion tips, make-up tips…well, just felt like a great friend?  What Not To Wear (TLC) ended it’s 10 year run on Friday with a great 3 hour send-off that made me cry!

My friend Nancy and I have been watching this show together on the telephone for years!  It affected the way we shopped, looked at our own shapes…heck we can hardly shop alone these days!  We even had the opportunity to meet one of the hosts, Clinton Kelly, hug him and get his autograph in the book that he and Stacy London co-authored titled “Dress Your Best…The Complete Guide to Finding the Style That’s Right for Your Body”…yes, I still have and refer to the book several times a year!  Nancy and I are at a bit of a loss…without our weekly phone appointment, we have to be more intentional about calling each other and staying in touch.  We did watch the finale in together in the same house, kinda nice, even if they did laugh at me for my tears!

For those of you who may not be familiar with the show, What Not to Wear (WNTW)  it was a makeover reality series based on the British show of the same name. It premiered in 2003 and aired on TLC and was hosted by Stacy London and Clinton Kelly.

Episodes featured contributors nominated by friends, co-workers, or relatives. Some episodes involved self-nominations, such as the class reunion specials or mall nominations. In the latter, What Not to Wear set up a 360-degree mirror in various malls across the United States, which allowed women to explain why they needed fashion help. Early episodes featured both men and women but all the later episodes featured women exclusively because the males transformations while great, weren’t as remarkable. Some episodes featured both the contributor and the nominator being selected for a makeover.

When a contributor was selected, the show secretly followed and videotaped her for two weeks. Sometimes the nominee would be asked to participate in “market research” by a camara crew which was actually the What Not To Wear crew filming her pre-makeover look for the show. Also, the nominators sometimes accessed the nominee’s closet to point out specific items of clothing that they considered particularly bad.

While reviewing the secret footage, Stacy and Clinton would comment, in that snarky style of theirs, on why the wardrobe was unflattering (“mom jeans”) or out-dated (purchased in the 1980s) and they would usually meet with the nominators before meeting the contributor. Afterward, the entire group would go to meet the soon-to-be-surprised contributor. During the surprise visit, the contributor was offered a $5,000 WNTW card to buy a new wardrobe if she would turn over her entire existing wardrobe to Stacy and Clinton and shop by their “rules” (tailored for her age, body shape, and profession).  If the nominee accepted the terms of the offer then Stacy and Clinton would give them the gift card and review the secret footage with them. If she declined, nothing further is filmed and there is no show. Contributors were sometimes very reluctant to agree and had to be persuaded by Stacy and Clinton and the nominators.

After reviewing the secret footage, they were brought to New York City for a week of evaluation, shopping, and hair and make-up styling.  Throughout the week, the contributor frequently declared she was unable to find properly fitting clothes, she disliked her body, or she didn’t care what other people think.

On the first day, Stacy and Clinton would sort through their current wardrobe, and she would step inside a 360-degree mirror to explain what she liked about her regular outfits and why she thought they looked good on her. After critiquing each outfit, Stacy and Clinton presented a more “appropriate” outfit to help illustrate the “rules” for the participant to follow when shopping for new clothes. Throughout the sorting process, most of the clothes were symbolically tossed in a large garbage can; however, they were actually donated to charity as long as they were not torn or damaged.

On the second day, the contributor was filmed shopping on her own in various New York stores and then Stacy and Clinton watched the videotaped footage and commented, for the benefit of the viewers, on whether or not the contributor was following the “rules”.

On the third day, Stacy and Clinton would surprise the contributor, comment on whether the previous day’s purchases followed the “rules”, and help her with the remainder of the shopping. If they had not followed the rules, the clothes may have been returned.

On the fourth day, hair stylist Ted Gibson and make-up artist Carmindy transformed their appearance.  So many tears when it came to the haircut, some of these people were just way to attached to their hair!  Then were the women who either went way overboard with the blue eyeshadow, glitter eyeshadow, false eyelashes…Ted and Carmindy really had their work cut out for them most weeks!

On the fifth and final day in New York, the contributor showed off her new look to Stacy and Clinton—in three of her new outfits. Stacy and Clinton then commented on how her new look flatters her body and generally improves her appearance.  The last segment featured a party in their hometown, where she would show off her new look to friends and family, who would comment on how impressed they were and how happy she looked. With the credits rolling, the participant was shown in additional wardrobe items and commented on what the experience did for her emotionally and how it improved her confidence.

During the finale party, Stacy said “This show changed me and the trajectory of my life… I’ve learned so much from all of our contributorsover the years. I hope we touched them as much as they touched me. I hope we touched our viewers… I will always cherish the time I spent on ‘WNTW’ and be eternally grateful to TLC for a great co-host, amazing crew and an awesome program.”  Clinton said “When I got the job, I told everyone I knew that we’d probably do 10 episodes, get canceled and I’d go crawling back to my old job in magazine publishing. So, I’m more surprised than anyone that we’ve lasted this long. At first I thought the essence of the show was making snarky remarks about people’s outfits, but as it turns out, ‘WNTW’ is about taking stock of who you are and communicating that non-verbally to the rest of the world. That’s incredibly empowering.”

Goodbye my friends…thank you for your inspiration, knowledge, charm and wit…it was a fun ride and you will be missed.

WNTW

Vicki Reed

Historic Irvington Home Tour!

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I’m so excited…this spring, I was able to work with my friend Kate Bilyj in the purchase of a Co-op in her dream area of Irvington and drum role please…her unit has been chosen to be on the Irvington Benton House Tour of Homes on Sunday, September 15, 2013!

This tour showcases the history, charm, and architecture of Irvington neighborhoods.  In it’s 40th year, this tour brings inspiration, education, and home improvement ideas to the.  Guests can enjoy viewing the properties of homeowners who truly fuel the Irvington neighborhoods. Many of the homeowners not only live in Irvington, but, invest further in the development of this 143 year old community.

Featured on this years tour is a beautiful ranch with a three room conversion into a dream kitchen. Recent bathroom renovations, and a finished basement.  In the Irvington Terrace area is a charming tudor with unique architecture, original details, and beautiful front and back gardens. Also on view will be a chic bungalow where budget and hip design style play a central role in creating an inspired home. The newly constructed Irvington Lofts are also included on the tour. Kate’s unit is in the Co-op neighborhood of Maplewood Court and boasts many of the original features including my favorite part…the original doorbell!

As part of the 40th anniversary celebration, there will be a tour/hog roast celebration at the Downey Avenue Christian Church, a complimentary cupcake as well as music and festivities on the lawn of the Benton House.

The home tour is the largest fundraising event for the historic Benton House, raising funds for the preservation of the 140 year old landmark. What started 40 years ago as a group of eager neighbors opening their homes for neighbors to tour and share ideas has now turned into the longest consecutively ran home tour in the city of Indianapolis showcasing nearly 200 homes and landmarks over the years.

The 2013 self guided Irvington Tour of Homes starts at noon and continues until 5:00pm on September 15, 2013. Biking and walking is encouraged. Tickets are $12 advance, $15 the day of the tour. Children under 12 years of age are admitted free.

Tickets can be purchased starting August 28 at local Irvington shops and restaurants to include Central Ace Hardware, Dufour’s, Black Sheep Gifts, Snips and Bookmamas. Purchase tickets the day of the home tour at the Benton House, 312 South Downey Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46219. For information please call 317-372-2372 or email bentonhousetour2013@gmail.com

Think you might want to live in Irvington?  I can help with that!  In addition to homes currently on the market, I will have a home for sale ON Pleasant Run Parkway South drive, directly across the street from Ellenberger Park.  My friend and fellow agent Jeffrey Tabler will be holding this home open on Sunday during the times of the tour…stop in and say hello! I will be at Kate’s home helping her with the tour…yes, I am a full service agent!  Please stop by and say hello!

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Vicki Reed

Homes for Heroes Celebrating 12th Anniversary

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Indianapolis, Indiana – Homes for Heroes is celebrating its 12th year of bringing savings to our nation’s heroes. The program was created to honor those that serve our communities every day and ensure a legacy of remembrance for those that lost their lives that tragic day.Ruth Johnson, President and CEO of Homes for Heroes, is one of the five founding members who started Homes for Heroes, Inc. in 2002. “We all remember where we were. We all recall how we felt. WE decided to do something about it!  We created a forever remembrance, a never ending thank you, to all the Heroes that day. We all share admiration for the people who serve our community, often selflessly and wanted to recognize and show our appreciation in a meaningful way, “said Johnson.The Homes for Heroes program has grown to become the nation’s largest hero savings program with over 1,000 affiliates in 47 states. It is comprised of realtors, lenders, and other real estate-related providers who are willing to offer substantial savings and discounts to when buying, selling or even refinancing their home. Nationally, the program has given back well over $3 million to heroes all over the country, a total that continues to grow on a daily basis.Homes for Heroes has served thousands of heroes across the country including Minneapolis Police Sergeant, Tim Hatchner, “This is not a gimmick. There is no extra paper work or special guidelines or income limits. Homes for Heroes is comprised of full service real estate, mortgage and title company professionals, who have long established reputations in the Twin Cities. Both the sale and the purchase of my home went off without a hitch. Homes for Heroes saved us nearly $5000.00 at closing. When raising a young family, every penny counts! I would definitely recommend this program to my fellow officers.”

If you would like more information about Homes for Heroes or to see other relative media regarding the national program go to www.homesforheroes.com.  

I have partnered with this program in the Indianapolis region and would love to talk more about the program.  Please visit my website vlrrealestate.com and visit the Featured Partner page.
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Vicki Reed

Have you ever stomped grapes?

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Did you know that Vevay, Indiana (Switzerland County) annually hosts the Swiss Wine Festival?  This year is the 42st annual Swiss Wine Festival. Held at Paul Ogle Riverfront Park and organizers are pulling out all the corks for this year’s event, Thursday-Sunday, August 22-25, 2013.

The Swiss Wine Festival is a four-day celebration commemorating Switzerland County’s winemaking roots and bragging rights as the “Birthplace of the First Successful Commercial Winery in the United States.”  A little quick history for you:  (From Wikipedia – topic “American Wines”)

The first commercial vineyard and winery in the United States was established by an act of the Kentucky General Assembly on November 21, 1799. The vinedresser for the vineyard was John James Dufour formerly of Vevay, Switzerland. The vineyard was located overlooking the Kentucky River in Jessamine County, Kentucky and was named First Vineyard by Dufour on November 5, 1798. The vineyard’s current address in 5800 Sugar Creek Pike, Nicholasville, Kentucky. The first wine from the First Vineyard was consumed by the subscribers at John Postelthwaite’s house on March 21, 1803. Two 5 gallon oak casks of wine were taken to President Thomas Jefferson in Washington, D.C. in February 1805. The vineyard continued until 1809 when a killing freeze in May destroyed the crop and many vines at the First Vineyard. The Dufour family then relocated to Vevay, Indiana after the abandonment of the First Vineyard.

There are traditional aspects of the festival – a Wine Tasting Pavilion, the Midwest Championship Grape Stomp, arts & crafts, amusement rides, parade, riverboat cruises, 5K run/walk, cheerleading competition, live entertainment, and more.  There are twelve Indiana wineries are offering samplings of their award-winning wines, with staff on hand to answer questions about their yield.  Participating wineries include Buck Creek, Carousel, Chateau De Pique, Ertel Cellars, French Lick, Grateful Goat Vineyard, Harmony, Indian Creek, Lanthier, Ridge, Windy Knoll, and Winzerwald.  In addition to the wine, there will be a variety of food choices and entertainment.

Admission is $5 per day on Friday-Sunday. Children 5-12 years are admitted for $3, with under age five free. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Festival times are Friday, August. 23, 3 pm-2 am; Saturday, August. 24, 10:30 am-2 am; and Sunday, August. 25, from 10:30 am-6:30 pm.  The Wine Pavilion is open Friday 3-10 pm, Saturday 11 am-10 pm, and Sunday 12-6 pm. and has an additional $15 admission fee which includes wine samples and a souvenir wine glass.

The Swiss Wine Festival has been listed as the 4th best food festival in Indiana by the Best of Indiana and is a Top 10 event in Indiana by Top Events USA.  Saturday’s Festivities began on Saturday morning at 10:00 am with the Grand Festival Parade in downtown Vevay. Marching bands, floats, and local and visitors line the streets of Main Street to kick-off the celebration Switzerland County-style.

Additional activities, performers, and events can be found on the Swiss Wine Festival website,  http://swisswinefestival.org/, or call 812-427-9463. Reservations for riverboat cruises can be made by calling 800-435-5688. Information on lodging, local businesses and tourist activities can be found at http://switzcotourism.com/ or by calling Switzerland County Tourism at 812-427-3237.

I grew up half way between Vevay and Madison – Dad went to Vevay High School (now Switzerland County High School) and Mom went to Madison – they met at the old Vevay Drive-in that they took us to as kids so my family life has always revolved around what was happening in Madison or Vevay.  I can remember that when my grandma and her siblings were still with us, it was a very big deal that everyone went to the sister or brother that had the house “in town” to watch the Wine Festival parade…click here for the schedule, you might find it worth a trip!

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Vicki Reed

Where were you August 16, 1977…

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Some of you may not have been born yet, but for those who remember…where were you?  what were you doing?  Me, I was about to turn 13, we were hanging out with another family just enjoying the summer and suddenly Mom was crying…why?  Because August 16, 1977 was the day Elvis died…

While American’s seem completely captivated by those pseudo celebs who are famous for…well…nothing and the media captures every move and news items one week old are treated as ancient history, Elvis Presley—who died 36 years ago today—remains as popular as ever. Why?  It’s not just because our popular culture idolizes its heroes, that’s a given, no, at the heart of the Elvis phenomenon is something much simpler and very American: dreaming big dreams and making those dreams come true.
In a a way, popular culture has a spiritual element to it. And although many of us deify our musical icons and exhibit an almost religious devotion to them, think Beatles and Rat Pack for the older generation…Justin Beiber for the tweens and hundreds of others in between.  There is a similarity between the primary message of the early Elvis (’54-’56) and the one central to most of the great religious figures of history: change. That one can take the past, breathe new life into it, and with the promise of youth and open-mindedness, rebel against the steadfastly held morals of the day, and, ultimately, change the future.

To fully appreciate the influence of Elvis on the world of music, it is critical to listen to the music of those first few years. He was not just some semi-talented white guy who ripped off infinitely more gifted black artists and rewarded, no, he may have been many things, but he was not that.  Just go back and listen to his early music, “That’s All Right, Mama,” “Good Rockin’ Tonight,” and “Hound Dog.”  Musically, the early Elvis was an astonishingly gifted chemist—creating his own personal style by mixing black music with country and pop.

His staggering vocal talent, however, is only part of his story. Think about the society that this man exploded into in the mid-’50s…a stale America, its inhabitants decked out in suits and dresses, living in “Happy Days”.  It was a society with nothing at stake.  Then comes Elvis…

amused, defiant, cool, hips quivering and then
 everything was at stake. Suddenly America was in the midst of a game of chicken, because Elvis was playing for keeps and taking his dreams very, very seriously. And, then, so were those who listened to him, his voice burning into the suburbs.
The man had ambition, he was the son of a sharecropper, he roamed Memphis’s black Beale Street section listening and learning, his music full of unmentionable menace, but was also tender and romantic lyricism. He was all contradiction: the raunchy roadhouse rocker who loved mom and Jesus, the yes-sir/no-sir Southern boy with the swaggering carelessness, the smoldering sex symbol with the self-mocking smile. And, like Fitzgerald’s Gatsby, he was all magnetism: “There was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promise of life—as if he were related to one of those intricate machines that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away.”  He was, and is, the stuff that American Dreamers are made of.

John Lennon said that before Elvis there was nothing and after Elvis there was everything. While this is debatable, but when Elvis hit the US in 1955, singing and moving those hips, the world has never been the same.

So, can the birth of rock and roll can be explained simply as a matter of some white guy coming along who could “sing black” and get the teenage girls to scream?  There is no way to ever explain Elvis or his legacy, he was simply a poor sharecropper’s son who mixed the music of the poor whites and blacks and scared mid-1950s America, and whose talent dwarfed any who followed.

Me, I was raised by a mother who would sneak an apple from home and save her lunch money all week, just to go see him on the big screen or to by his latest single, I’ve been on the pilgrimage to Graceland 3 times and will likely end up there again in the future.  My nieces have also grown up with an appreciation for his beautiful voice, Mom still plays his music regularly, there is a satellite station dedicated to only his music, the movies are available on DVD for generations to come to enjoy…honestly, when I find one of his movies on cable…I watch!  I also have the Aloha from Hawaii CD (yes a CD) in my car that I put in when the mood strikes.
So…do you remember?
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This life is hard enough…

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First, let me qualify this post by saying that I chose to be a REALTOR®…I love my job, I love “Turning your dreams into an Address…”, it’s more than a tagline, I truly love working with buyers and sellers, my clients have become friends and this means so much, however, several things have happened this year that I would like to address…

1.  A fellow agent called, he had received a call from someone who saw his sign in front of a house.  The potential buyer told him that he was not represented and the agent, who was out of town, contacted me to show the property.  I arranged to show him the property and during our meeting, I again asked if he was working with an agent and he said that he was, but he “didn’t want to bother him to show him the home“.  My advice to buyers – BOTHER US!  Commit to working with one Realtor, showing you homes is what we are paid for, to show you homes and represent your BEST interests in YOUR home purchase, please do not lie to other agents, we will eventually find out.

2.  Realtors… treat each other with respect and kindness, we are all trying to do what is best for our clients. During the course of a recent transaction, the Seller’s agent maligned my clients character during the course of a number of delays, was hateful and demanding of me, including trying to get me to give up part of my commission.  I’m sorry, I work really hard for my clients, I am upfront and honest with other agents during the course of every transaction.  Regarding delays…sometimes things happen and we do the best we can, but please, be patient, be kind and just talk to each other with some modicum of respect.  The end result is someone wants to sell a house, someone wants to buy that house and its up to us to make it happen and make both our clients happy.

3.  Last week I received a call from an agent showing one of my listings.  The home is unoccupied, yet when she arrived, the lockbox was open, the key in the door, door wide open, lights on…and no one there!  What if there hadn’t been another showing scheduled that day?  How long would it have stayed that way?  I called the agent who had shown it earlier and left a voicemail asking how he left the home, just to find out if someone showed the home and wasn’t scheduled (they still haven’t called me back!).  Agents, please leave the home secured when you leave and if you did it, own up to it.  My favorite thing an agent did at another unoccupied listing was leave the gas fireplace burning…it was over 4 days before the home was viewed again, next agent came into a 95 degree temp…in February!  Buyers, help us make certain the homes you are viewing are locked up tight and it was as you found it when you leave!

4.  Buying a home?  During a recent transaction for a client selling a home, we were on the way to closing and received a call from the Buyer’s agent...there was a large spot on the master bedroom carpet and they hadn’t seen it before…it had been there all along, never hidden, but apparently never seen by the buyer or their agent.  Now, the seller was getting money back from the sale of the home, a reward for home ownership if you will, and had already agreed to pay $3,000 toward the Buyer’s closing costs as well as pay for a home warranty of $400.  The Buyer’s agent screams at me that they wanted $500 to replace the carpet or they would be pulling out of the transaction.  First, there is no reason to scream at me, second, just  because you can see on the HUD statement that my client is receiving money doesn’t mean your client “deserves” money for something you hadn’t asked for previously.  My client was using this money in the purchase of their next home, it was not the Buyers to take.  We did close, but what should have been a joyful day for both parties turned contentious and stressful.

5.  Selling your home?  Pay attention to the terms of your contract.  When  are you to turn over possession of the home?  What items are to remain with the home?  Realtors, communicate with them on how the home should be left for the new owners and remind them of what appliances, etc. are to remain.  In addition to my own experience, I hear a lot from other agents about washers and dryers being taken when they were clearly on the Purchase Agreement, what about that fridge in the garage?  Sellers, don’t take the light fixtures and replace them with the builder grade brass one that was there when you moved in UNLESS you disclosed that you were taking the fixture.  During a recent transaction, we arrived to do a final walk-through 30 minutes before closing and they were still moving out!  This is the first time the Sellers had sold a home and they had no idea that this was unacceptable.  Sellers, your home needs to be “broom clean” when you leave, you should also make certain that you aren’t still trying to move as you are headed to the closing table and Agents…communicate with your Sellers!

Okay, enough of my rants/life lessons or whatever you would like to call this, but truly, life is tough, the key is to treat one another with RESPECT…in negotiations, in delays, in closings and even in follow-ups after the fact.  It doesn’t just apply to real estate transactions, but our everyday lives.  I strive to be a Realtor® that other agents want to work with and that my clients want to refer their friends to…it’s working so far and I look forward to a long prosperous career!  Now…if you are ready to buy or sell a home…CALL ME!

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Vicki Reed

Are you from somewhere else?

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As a society, we have become very transient…there was a time when you grew up, got married and stayed in the same town you grew up in…personally, I have lived in Indy longer than I lived in my hometown, yet when someone asks where I’m from, I tell them Madison, Indiana.  We meet a lot of people on our travels through life, become friends, some stay there forever, some drift away…I think this poem really says it best…

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

— Unknown

Just this week I have had the opportunity to reconnect with two friends, the first I have know for 25 years, we started our post-college life in the same apartment building and remained friends through her moves to other cities, I was even in her wedding!  But as often happens, life gets in the way and while we have spoken regularly on the phone over the years, I had only seen the oldest of her three children and she was a toddler at the time and is now 10!  She happened to be attending a conference in Indy and her husband and children were with her, nice surprise, when she got her schedule for the conference, she called to let me know she was here and arranged time to meet for dinner – so great to talk face to face and meet her children!  She and her family currently live in Springfield, Illinois, but she is from Sharon, PA!

The second reached out only yesterday on Facebook, we actually went to college together and have known each other for nearly 30 years, but lost touch a number of years ago.  Thanks to the popularity of Facebook, I have the opportunity to reconnect with someone who was a great friend.  She’s from Rushville, IN, we met at Ball State University in Muncie and she now lives in Crown Point, IN!

For me, being on Facebook was a way to stay connected to my nieces, as a Realtor, I use it for marketing and business development, but have found it to be a great way to stay connected to many people who have been friends in my distant past as well as my present life, work friends from my corporate life, keeping up with them and their growing families.  Facebook has made our world a much smaller place – many of my classmates are all over the United States, it’s a great way to keep in touch even though we rarely actually speak to one another!

I love my local friends, The Group saves my sanity on a regular basis, funny though, we are all from somewhere else and landed in Indy…so…where are you from?

GiftofFriendship

Vicki Reed