Open House Alert!

Ready, set, go.......to 115 Raspberry in Scenic Meadows!  Come Sunday, March 3rd - I will be there from 12:00 to 2:00 showing off this lovely 5 bedroom, 2.5 bath home high on the hill.  It has three levels of living space - the bedrooms up, the family, living and dining rooms on the first floor, and then another kids' play area as well as a bar and office in the basement.

Please tell me you saw this blog - it will make my day!  And let's hope we have gorgeous, sunny weather and blue skies so you can really take in the view.

From 690, take 695 (Route 5) towards Auburn.  When you get off, turn right at the light and an immediate right onto Scenic Drive.  Within half a mile you will come to Raspberry on the left.  Go up the hill - tour around the community - and return to #115.  Refreshments and a great home await!

Finances

Real estate, as I have said before, is my "encore career," a nice descriptive phrase I picked up from the paper today (see Syracuse.com for the article).  Although the reference cites many examples that have to do with finishing one career and then going into another for a less profitable, more altruistic motive, I still like the idea of "encore."  Except in my case, I think teaching and administration was more a prelude and real estate is my primary career!

When I worked in schools, I mostly received a paycheck every two weeks or bi-monthly.  It wasn't the greatest paycheck (my Waldorf School experience in Saratoga stands out) but it was a paycheck I could rely on for the most part.  Health insurance was paid for or partially paid by the district (except for again, the Waldorf School).  I think real estate is fairly far removed from my administrative days at Spring Hill, but I wouldn't have lost those two years for any amount of money.

So I live commission to commission, working out how to get through the slow times and what to do with the money during the affluent times.  Brian Buffini again, as mentor, has taught me how to do this.  When I first started I was caught up short by the taxes one year.  The last year I was ever caught short, I might add.  Suddenly my good amount of commission was held hostage by April 15th and I had to find that money somehow.  Which I did, thanks to a home equity loan.  But I was lucky to have that.

These days are different.  I still have to buy my own health insurance, but I have managed to find a program that works for me.  Forget dental or vision insurance for now.  The de-stressing I've been doing has helped to keep me from grinding my teeth at night - so it does pay off!  I have dues to the national Realtor board, the local board, and payments for the use of my lockbox key.  I buy my own signs and advertising, but I like that.  I make the choices.  And of course RE/MAX takes a part of each commission.

So when I do have a check, I parcel it out.  Currently 40% gets immediately thrown into savings off the top for taxes and a retirement account.  Another 20% goes into my separate business account to pay for advertising, signs, dues and gifts.  A second 20% goes into our joint account; that pays for our mortgage, household expenses and New York State property and school taxes.  Then 10% goes to that home equity I took out years ago to pay down.  The remaining 10% goes to my checking account, so I can pay for my cars, trips to Manhattan, SU games, health insurance and entertainment.

The tellers love to see me come in with everything sorted out...but nowadays I don't worry about where my tax money will come from in April.  I don't have six months put away for emergencies and I know I need to work on that, but I would rather pay down the HELOC and draw from that if need be.

Overall, I am much happier by far than when I got a regular paycheck and certainly much better off financially.

No More Vacant Homes - A Great Idea

This morning in the Sunday Post-Standard I read with great interest Stephen Kimatian's article in the Opinion section of the paper.  I had had this thought before, but he put it very succinctly and illustrated it with actual facts and a compelling story.

His thesis in "How one effort can help vacant homes, unemployment at the same time" is simple.  Syracuse has an overabundance of vacant houses, just sitting there waiting for help that won't come from the owners, previous or otherwise.  It also has a strong community which dislikes vacancy and works hard.  Combine the two, and you have dozens of "Marios," Kimatian's subject.

Mario bought a vacant house, fixed it up and rented it out.  That went so well he did it again - and again.  To date he has rehabilitated on his own ten houses.  These are now ten houses that not only produce rent for him, but also are on the tax rolls.  Not only that, they have filled a need for families who will round out our workforce in our rapidly developing city.

Mario is an entrepreneur.  He is unlike the entrepreneur who "rented" out the vacant house next to my in-laws.  This person took rent for months until the people found out he had no legal right to rent the house.  The tenants were out money and had to leave the house rapidly.  Not good for them, their kids, or the neighborhood.  So why not allow someone to develop the house?

Kimatian cites figures.  He suggests the houses would cost somewhere around $20,000 and then with money for renovations he projects still a good income for the rent.  Mario now brings in about $60,000 a year - not bad for working on your own, at your own pace, in your own time.  And if he is like investors I know he has learned that doing it right the first time will help to ensure no midnight phone calls from the tenants.

Wouldn't a city filled to capacity with willing and able tenants, houses with lights on inside at night, children going to school and taking advantage of the "Say Yes" program be worth a great deal?  So, Mr. Kimatian - how do we make this happen?

BEAUTY, TRANQUILITY, OCEANFRONT on Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands

This gorgeous oceanfront property is located on the western (leeward) side of Salt Cay, the southernmost island in the Turks and Caicos.  Known as the historic Morgan property, it consists of a vintage cottage, one bedroom, one bath, tastefully updated;  a new separate guest cottage with bath; and an architecturally unique, original kitchen-by-sea with large historic Bermuda fireplace, now perfect for dining.

Walled quiet location on 4/10 acre it is protected from sea by a 100 foot long, 200 year old, restored, seawall;  it has a huge, 14,500 gallon fresh water cistern, all updated;  The original homestead foundation, of all cut stone, 55 by 32 feet,  has been preserved, (presently used as a lovely sunken Zen garden), and could become the foundation of the oceanfront house of your dreams.

Take one step through the donkey gate onto a near private, secluded deep sand beach to enjoy great swimming and snorkeling.  Watch the annual humpback whale migration from property.  Enjoy Caribbean sunsets over water each evening.  A step-back in time, unlike any other.  Offered at $425,000.

Click here for more

Agent as Tour Guide

When I first started doing real estate in 2001 I was told by a woman who owned a business in town that she used to do it.  She said she stopped because she felt she was a glorified tour guide.  Most of the time no one bought a house through her, but she spent hours showing people the area.

I just spent the last two afternoons being a tour guide - but in this case, a very happy tour guide.  A prospective client came from out-of-state to see Central New York and decide whether to accept a position that had been offered.  My job was to familiarize him with the communities within a few minutes commute and show him a few housing options.

We had a wonderful time, despite the snow (coming in February is tough!).  We wandered the first day from Auburn to Syracuse, took in Skaneateles, Marcellus and Camillus, and went up to the University and over to Destiny.  I saw the area through his eyes, which made it very instructive for me.  He saw new building, especially in Syracuse.  The buildings on campus and in Armory Square convinced him (as well it should) that Syracuse is a thriving and growing community.

On Thursday we saw homes:  a good rental in Auburn (unlisted), and then single families in Camillus.  He saw that the prices were excellent, compared to his current situation, and he had choices.  I got to see homes I wouldn't see on brokers' opens, and re-familiarize myself with the market.

So, yes, I was a tour guide - and I was my best client!

Winner Winner...

Well the time has come to announce the winner of my fabulous Bellatique Giveaway ...

If you have not "Liked" Bellatique on Facebook yet you will for sure want to because their cute Spring stuff is to die for and very very affordable!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered to win!
We had over 350 entries!! 

The Winner of a RealDana Top and Charming Necklace is ... 
(and I swear this was not rigged, so crazy!!!)

One of my favorite bloggers from right here in Lexington KY!!So crazy!!
Miss Brooke!!

She is so adorable. I love her blog so so much. She has the funniest and cutest stuff over there! Go check out her blog HERE if you're not already! 
Brooke you will look so cute in your RealDana Top :) 

Bellatique will contact you about your winnings:) 
XOXO,

An SU Bit of a Rant

This Saturday at the SU-Georgetown basketball game at the Dome a record number of people will attend the game.  They've managed to squeeze in another few seats to create a new record.  The demand arises from the last Dome appearance for arch rival Georgetown while the two teams are in the rapidly descending Big East conference.  SU leaves next year for the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Ten years ago SU won the NCAA Division I basketball championship with Carmelo Anthony as the star freshman.  He left after one year and has certainly taken the NBA by storm.  There is talk this year of him winning the MVP for bringing the Knicks back to prominence.  He is a star, both for the NBA and our Olympic team.

His jersey will be retired on Saturday at halftime.  I haven't seen official word that he will be at the game, but everyone I talk to says he will.  And the Knicks aren't playing - I checked - so he most likely will be there.  He has also contributed towards the building of the Carmelo Anthony training center on campus.

My rant.  In the rafters where his jersey will come to rest is a banner celebrating the 2003 championship.  Coach Boeheim is featured prominently as are Gerry McNamara (the incredible guard with amazing 3-point ability) and Carmelo.  No one else.  No rest of the team, just these three.

Not right, in my opinion.  The team deserves to be there.

Adding to this is my tendency to like not the stars, but the guys who don't get the adulation.  Currently I like Jerami Grant, a freshman who has great basketball knowledge and is working to pull it all together.  But he's nowhere near a star.  On the 2002-2003 team I loved a sophomore named Hakim Warrick.  Long arms, great blocker, and quiet guy.  The boards featured sayings like "Mac to Hak" when he and Gerry combined.

During the final game as the minutes wore down Hakim had an indelible block that was caught on film.  I bet you could look it up now online.  It virtually assured us the championship.  But his photo - and I stress - the rest of the team - is not on the banner.

So that's my rant.  He and other members of that team will be there Saturday to congratulate Carmelo and be congratulated themselves for their feat.  I just wish it would be acknowledged that a TEAM won the championship, not just a few guys.

Wedding Wednesday:)

Shew ... whoever said planning a wedding is stressful was RIGHT!
Good grief ... 
I always said I would never be the stressed out bride. I would be the "go with the flow" never crazy or bitchy, just excited and happy ... 
Welllll, that bird has flown the coup friends .. I am officially stressed! (of course not crazy or bitchy though..yet! ha!)

hahahahaha this is hysterical!Don't fret, this is not me, there are probably only about 3 people in the world I would actually like to punch in the throat, and they have nothing to do with the wedding lol!! (and no no no I won't name them, I'm not talking bad about people for lent this year ha) 
I think it is all the small little details that I am stressing about (not to mention I have OCD) and then also just getting things done in a timely manner when you work 60 hours a week and try to have a life at the same time, makes things a little more difficult too. Plus don't even get me started on how expensive all this stuff is!! Who knew forks and tables and bathrooms could add up to be so much? Every time I get on Pinterest I feel like I need to order something else ... Or I make a decision on something and get on Pinterest and see something totally different that I like better! 

hahaha again, hysterical and true. 
Poor Chris... I told him today the wedding is just going to be a total surprise party to him because I tell him something, then change my mind and forgot to tell him the new idea lol ;) He is so sweet ... he mostly cared about 4 things ...1. The food 2. The cake 3. Me wearing my hair down and wavy like he likes it ha4. and just marrying me ... and being happy :) So sweet, I know, but that is truly what he says and what he cared about, the rest he said he trusts my taste and judgement and I have never picked out anything thus far in our house, clothes, etc that he didn't like.I think he will like everything ... if not .. you know what they say ... 

 I am full of these today, can you tell? hahahaha
In all reality ... I am in love with my wedding dress.It hasn't come in yet, but I look at the pictures of it daily on my phone ha. I just love it. BUT ... does anybody but me have this feeling ... 

I am TERRIFIED that I will see another dress I like more!!

So I keep trying to skim past them really fast when I am scrolling down Pinterest lol 

We for serious need a filter for this!! ;) 

So today I met with my florist and in all honesty it made me feel so much better!

I am so excited about the flowers and decor ... and wanted to share a sneak peak ... 

Obsessed with these!

Some of the tables will have the tall arrangements with the birch wrapping which I am in love with .. but lots more flowers in them (this was a fake arrangement for sale in there for inside a house) so mine will have more flowers and blush tones with more moss etc! So cute! 

We will have the urns with candles everywhere on some tables ... just kind of to give it some dimension something different with the flowers too :) 

Lots of barnwood like this with cutouts for the candles and then instead of those little green things these will be moss and hydrangeas and blush roses etc! Sooo pretty and elegant :) 

I decided on these for all the guys ... I think they are perfect. Just the perfect touch of elegance yet still a little rustic too ;) Chris's will be a little different I think to make him stand out. 

So all in all today we actually got a lot accomplished and I am super excited about all the flowers, but want to leave some big things with them a secret ... so you'll have to wait on those!! ;) 

I am getting more and more excited ... just need to get all the small stuff knocked out so I can make it to June and then ... 

hahahahaha

killing me today. 

No but really, this is what I am trying to keep in mind:

So true. Love it. 
Well, that's all the wedding talk I've got for ya today!I am going to share our Save the Date's later this week also .. just need to get a good picture of them! 
PS. Look at this sweet, handsome baby on his walk this week ... just taking in the sunshine and breeze ... 

Love him so much. 
PSS. My Bellatique giveaway is over tonight with a whopping 354 entries!! Wow! So tomorrow I will announce the winner winner chicken dinner!

Don't forget to go "like" them on Facebook HERE ... Super cute new Spring stuff coming on daily and also the jewelry is the cutest and super duper cheap! 
Off to catch up on my DVR and snuggle with Chris & Frankie :) 

Happiness

Yesterday I went over to Grant Ave in Sennett to run some errands.  On the way back I listened to NPR's Talk of the Nation.  Neil Conan had a re-broadcast of an interview with Dan Buettner who wrote Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way.  I was fascinated.

His contention is that there are places on earth in which people are happier than others, and that happiness is in some part a function of what you do and where you live.  Since I was driving, I couldn't take notes.  But as with any project that is heard only auditorily, I grasped at items to remember that meant something to me. So of course I compared our lives in Central New York with his happiness claims.

He cited four cities that were the happiest statistically on each continent.  Singapore was one, and I must admit I didn't pay much attention as to the why, as well as a city in Mexico, I believe.  (Yes, get the book, as will I!)

Denmark (must have been a city attached) was quite happy, even with their 70% tax rate (take that, New York!).  Or actually because of the 70% tax rate.  Everything is done for them - all education through college is paid for, all medical care...the stress level is quite low so therefore the happiness level is quite high.  They also have an equality of class and opportunity.  The highest salaries are not far from the lowest, therefore all people live relatively well without a class struggle.  No mansions vs. shacks, so therefore no envy.

San Luis Obispo was the city in the United States.  As it happens, I drove there on a February break probably 18 years ago, helping a psychologist who was moving there.  I saw "road trip" of the highest order, with an ending for me in San Francisco to see an old friend, and went for it.  But San Luis Obispo, although on the ocean, was not what I had imagined, at least not in February!  Trailers dotted the hillside, stores were sweet and small but mostly closed against the cold wind (but any place can have a bad day!)....Apparently a mayor was elected years ago who went about changing the culture to make it more stress-free - bike paths, community areas, etc. - and it seems to have worked.  The residents exude well-being.

We have a great deal of the elements here in Central New York.  We have short commutes, cited as a huge factor in contentment.  We have access to the outdoors - easy access.  We are close to water which seems to be important on the happiness scale.  Safety is also a prime ingredient.  And frankly, most of these boil down to reduction of stress...and you can find that here, near the water and outside in all weather.

Monday Morning Organization Thoughts

Since I started this whole blog with the idea of describing what life as a Realtor is like in this area, I want to share a bit of how I organize my week.  Or try to.  I spoke with an agent yesterday who was bemoaning the fact that she had to work on Sunday (!) and had wanted to take Monday off but couldn't.  I understand to a point, and I know how it all can overrun the the best of plans, but planning is necessary to conquer "it."  "It" in this case being a career in real estate.

I start off Mondays as "domestic Monday."  I usually have worked Sunday - open houses, people who can only get in on the weekend, etc.  But somehow Monday mornings have turned out to be a good time to get some things done.  I do the bills, do the wash (nice to work at home), and run errands - post office, Kinney's, store sometimes.  The day falls apart rapidly after 10:00, but I can generally get the bills and banking done.

Today is no exception.  The photo is the view out the back of my office (that I call a studio).  It beckons and Sheba and I will certainly walk out sometime today.  But until then I will work through my morning.

Bills and banking, setting the timer for 45 minutes.  When it goes off, I take a five minute break and do the wash.  Good exercise, up and down those stairs!  And a clearing of the head.

Another 45 minute section - the hotsheet, office voicemail check, and then work e-mails.  Then another break, during which these days I eat a banana which is my "coffee break."

From then on it might be errands or continuing onto the e-mails until lunch - but timed, so I don't get lost.  This is a suggestion I got from the Buffini Turning Point last June which has worked tremendously.

And so the timer says my 15 minutes to blog are up - and I will start the day!

Weekend Update and Giveaway!! ...

Happy Sunday friends :) This is a long one, I am sorry for being a bad blogger and combining all these into one because I didn't post for a week ha but make it to the end for a special prize!!
I have been a little MIA lately, not by choice, but do to the early Spring Real Estate Market here in Lexington, KY that is BOOMING already!! Remember the new listing with the professional pics from last post?Well ... 

BAM! 

(In my best NeNe Leakes Voice ha!)

Woohoo! SOLD in 5 Days! That's right ... not even a week on the market! 

So excited!

Love when people price their house right and do the things I suggest before listing ... this is what happens :) 

Now I have another awesome house I just listed this weekend to show you ... because the pics are amazing!

Gentry-Jackson & Associates is on a roll ;) 

So blessed.

4,000 sq ft up like new space loaded with upgrades!

Isn't that so nice?

And the theater room is awesome! Just an added bonus, oh and a hot tub too!

If you are in Lexington KY and looking for a new home and would like more information click HERE! 

Okay, let's talk Valentine's Day shall we? 

Saw this on Pinterest. 

Loved it. Perfect for Valentine's Day. 

Frankie sent out his Valentine to all his peeps ;) 

I made a little eCard for Chris and shared on his Fbook page early that morning so he would see it when he checked it that morning ;) 

I had my cute little XOXO burlap banner I got from Very Jane and my Happy Everything plate with the Valentine envelope on it!  The kids were here so we had a Valentine's Party and Chris's parents came down to celebrate!
We cooked dinner and played games and opened Vday presents and just had a super fun night!(Chris and I celebrated Friday night, just us, with dinner and such!)
Chris had my two favorite things ready for me before the party ... 

Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Confused Confections Bakehouseand The Bacon Cheddar Ring from DaRae & Friend's Catering ... Yyyyuuummmm :) (so much for the diet!)I had ordered some special cookies for the kiddos ... and they turned out adorable!

How cute is that?They were adorable and the kids LOVED them! 

We opened a few Valentine's presents :) 

And we got some wax lips hahaha

Silly girls ;) 

Pics from Her Knight Dance 

I had been wanting to share a couple of pics from the Father/Daughter Dance at our church that Chris took the girls too last weekend ... I just love that they went and they had so much fun... 

they will remember that first dance for the rest of their lives :) 

I had so much fun getting them all dolled up before their big night!

That is a memory that I will remember the rest of my life ;)

Sooo cute! :) 

They had this at the Keene Barn in Keeneland and it looked from the pics that Chris took that it was just so much fun and such a blessing to be at. :) 

So I tried to find a picture of me and good ole' Dan (my dad ha) just while I was uploading these pics of Chris and the girls .. and I found this little beauty to share with yall .... 

Brace yourself ha 

I mean I laugh outloud every single time I look at this .. .because my dad looked ridiculous. 

I mean what in the world was with the stach and the hair? hahaha too much for me to handle. 

I don't think I was in a smiling mood that day, probably because my mom cut those bangs!! Ha! 

But my outfit was pretty cute ... I can spot a cute outfit a mile away ;) 

Well, now that you got a good laugh ... 

Let me brighten your day even more .. 

with a GIVE AWAY!!!

A friend of mine has started an online boutique, BELLATIQUE ...  and I am already obsessed! 

You know I love me some online Boutiques!!

The even better news?

Guess who got a shirt named after them??

Woohoooo!

Little ole' me ... 

Let me introduce to you The RealDana Top ... sooo cute and comfy!

Mint ... perfect for Spring 

and Black ... a staple for your closet! Must have. 

The RealDana Top is only $25!! Comes in S, M and L ... runs a smidge big so I would size down. 

Check out some of her cute jewlery too ...  

Charming Necklace, love this. 

Wanna hear the great news?

Bellatique has agreed to give away a ...

 RealDana Top (mint or black) and a Charming Necklace!!

Here are the giveaway rules:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck Ladies!

You will LIVE in this top ... it is so comfy! 

Have a great week! 

XO,