My Male Magnet
My Male Magnet
Women of all ages, if you are looking for a little attention from men of all ages there is one surefire way to do it. I absolutely guarantee success.
#1 solution of all time...Simply buy a Toyota Prius. (Perhaps Marilyn Monroe standing over the grate may vie with this for first place. If you look like Marilyn Monroe you may consider going that route...it will be a lot cheaper except where do you find grates these day????? Unless you live in New York City you would have to factor in airfare.)
Now that I have shared with you how to get those men to pay attention I must temper it with the following: You will attract a great deal of attention. However, that does not translate into affection. So, if affection is what you are after you may do better shopping elsewhere and not at your local Toyota dealership.
Yes, the attention may be fleeting and quickly shift to the "car" but that's OK. If you have a Prius that is exactly where you want it to be. Men seem to be intriqued by that thing called an engine and are also amazed that all 6'2" of them actually fits comfortably inside and yes, it does hold more than the driver and a passenger. Who would have thought.
But wait...perhaps you will find lasting love. What man wouldn't love a woman that can brag about averaging 50 miles an hour on just one gallon of gas!
Happy trails to you!
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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate " Elim. She lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate. Reach Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/
Ever Look for Savings?
Ever Look For Savings?
Recently we needed ink cartridges for one of our printers. As I was in the Fredericksburg area I stopped in Staples. They had the products I needed and home I went.
Later, while on the computer, I decided to check out the same products on officedepot.com to compare prices. The difference was almost enough to make me wish I had driven about three miles more (what's three miles in a Toyota Prius Hybrid) and gone there. Still curious I decided to check out the same items on Amazon.com. To my delight* the prices were even better.
Below are the items and the cost.
- Canon PGI-5 BK 2-pack black ink tanks and
- Canon CLI-8 4-pack multicolor in tanks
The cost at Staples, where I shopped, was $84.21. The same items would have been $81.48 at Office Depot and the winner is...........................Amazon.com $67.33. Yes, I would have had to wait two days (free shipping and no tax) but if you have the time, why not.
The difference from what I paid to what I could have paid was only $16.88 but that was a 20% savings on a small purchase. Not bad and that could have been accomplished from the comfort of home.
The reason I am sharing this is that I have found the savings to be there with almost any item I have purchased and they have run the gamut (digital cameras, printers, books, videos, coffee pots, toaster ovens and on and on).
Some folks think it is merely a place to buy books and perhaps some videos or Cd's. I have found it to be a place to save on many items I use in my business. Perhaps you will also.
*I own a very small number of shares and that is because it has been my "go to" place for years.
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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate " Elim. She lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate. Reach Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/
Voting in Virginia
Voting in Virginia
On the way to Connecticut to visit my mom, I took a few minutes to cast my vote. Virginians had their primary almost two weeks ago and the turnout was terrific.
Voting, for my precinct, was held at the Spotsylvania Volunteer Fire Department on Partlow Road. It is the same place where I've been going to vote since moving to Lake Anna in 1992. There have been times that I have worked outside in support of candidates so it is a familiar place.
What makes it nice is that most of the poll workers have been there each and every time I've gone. Today seemed like a good time to take their picture. I promised to make them notorious by posting it on my blog so here they are.
It requires a commitment to be there for each and every time we get to vote. The day starts very early and runs into the evening. Everyone that does this helps to preserve our democracy. That goes for all those that vote also. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to make our choices known.
Thank you, Poll Workers, whereever you are. Please know how much you are needed and appreciated.
Only $18.95 an Acre - Have I Got a Deal for You
ONLY $18.95 an Acre - Have I Got a Deal for You
Looking to invest in some property? Don't have much money? Well, I can sure help you.
For the mere sum of $18.95 you can have your very own place to call home. You may not be able to get there but you certainly can look at it...at least at night. The view may not be the greatest and you may be unsure if you are looking at the right spot but you know it is there. You have documentation to prove it! With that deed in hand the world will know you own a piece of the moon.
Last Sunday while watching Sunday Morning on CBS one of the segments featured a company that sells you your own home away from home at rock bottom prices. Being a REALTOR, of course I was intrigued. Sales seem to be moving right along...evidently no softening of that particular market. Unfortunately I don't know if there is a real estate office there where I can hang my license.
Not content to only own property here on earth I immediately sank a portion of my hard earned money into this prime investment. My motto is...Don't Just Sell It, Buy It.
Now my family will be secure in the future. If there is ever a time global warming becomes unbearable here on earth we can trade it for the extremes of the moon...250 degrees above freezing (fahrenheit) to 251 below. Until it gets worse here we'll stay on earth.
I was going to post some Web sites for you to check out. However, they refused to sign a Buyer's Representative Agreement with me. No agreement, no commission, no deal!
While you are contemplating whether this is a deal you just can't refuse please enjoy Old Blue Eyes, in fact sing along with Frankie Boy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rAsoLm1Ges
I did reveal (under duress during negotiations) that I am a REALTOR in good standing with the National Association of REALTORS, the Virginia Association of REALTORS, and the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS. I assured them I will be more than happy to join the Moon Association of REALTORS upon its formation. Perhaps I will help get it established as soon as I get myself settled in up there. Meanwhile I remain at Lake Anna.
My slogan will now be: I Don't Just Sell It, I Buy It!
P.S. Please do not let Bill Geist (CBS Sunday Morning contributor) know that I got a better deal than he did. He paid $19.95 and I only paid $18.95 (plus $8.00 shipping and handling) due to my great negotiation skills.
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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna,contact Kathleen "Kate " Elim. She lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate. Reach Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/
Do You Have What it Takes?
Do You Have What it Takes?
A question was posed, "Do You Value Long Term Potential Clients?" My answer: A resounding yes. They are the very foundation of my business.
Other questions were, "Do you work with long term leads? What's in your Potential Client agenda?"
When I worked as a REALTOR in Northern Virginia many years ago, I would have probably considered a long term client one that I worked with for a number of weeks. Here at Lake Anna I have learned to consider a long term client one that I work with for a number of years. Years can be several years and I'm not referring to two, three, or four transactions during that time but rather one (1). Yes, patience is a virtue here. Not only a virtue, it is required.
Many of our clients explore the Lake Anna area well before they are ready to make a commitment. Sometimes they are considering a number of areas. It is nothing to hear that they are also considering Smith Mountain Lake, the Northern Neck, perhaps Ocean City and hey, there's also the Outer Banks. 
I have a tendency to put myself in my client's shoes. Would I want to explore my options...Yes! Would I want to be pressured into making a decision...No!
When I show people around Lake Anna for the first time I tell them that the most important thing is for them to determine if this is the place that want to be. If it is we can go from there. If not, the sooner we know that the better.
This past October a couple I had first taken out in 2006 called and we started looking at homes again. They had recently retired and were ready to seriously consider a home at Lake Anna. We spent the time needed to find the right spot for them and they had a ratified contract this month. We now have their current home on the market and hoping to receive a contract on that soon although the purchase of their new home is not contingent on this one selling.
A former post deals with the type of market I'm in. NEED TO or WANT TO? It is what it is.
As long as people have a loyalty to me I will spend the time needed to help them determine if this is what they want. If Lake Anna is where they want to be the best spot can be found. Often times we end up with a happy ending. Than it is time for some serious celebrating.
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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna,contact Kathleen "Kate " Elim. She lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate. Reach Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/
Sellers, Your First Agent was Great!
Seller, Your First Agent was Great!
What do you tell your seller about their first agent? Are there times that you know the initial listing agent quite well and know that they are very good agents? When that happens what do you say?
There have been a few times when I have been asked to list a house that had been listed by an agent that I 
respected. I had no problems letting the sellers know that. If they complained about the property not selling I have come to the defense of the agent if I know that the agent has done an excellent job marketing the property. This is especially true when it is evident that the seller was the one that set the high price. Sometimes there is not much more that I can do to get the listing sold. If that is the truth, shouldn't we say so?
When the agent has been one that I either do not know or do not feel gives 100% I will reserve my opinion.
Do you feel any obligation to defend a fellow agent if you know they have done a good job? It could be as a listing agent or it could be the agent on the other side of a transaction. Can we gently but firmly be supportive without offending our client?
Being supportive of other agents is not taking away from your ability to perform well. It is being honest.
Has DUAL AGENCY Run It's Course?
Has DUAL Agency Run It's Course?
Some states do not allow dual agency. Others do. Virginia is one that does. Is the trend towards doing away with this type of representation? In fact is dual agency a form of representation or does it really mean that neither the seller nor the buyer are being represented?
When practicing dual agency how does a REALTOR® deal with offers and counter offers. Do they offer advice to both parties, to one, or to neither? What about conditions, other than price, that may require negotiation such as the settlement date, home inspection repairs, pre or post occupancy, and any number of other things that can be a bone of contention between parties.
What happens when a buyer offers a very low price and the seller suggests a very low counter and you believe the counter should be higher. Do you consel them to rethink that counter? That would be difficult if you were also "representing" the buyer. Shouldn't you be looking out for the buyers's best interest? Therein lies the dilemma. The seller's and buyer's best interest are often in direct conflict.
Dual agency can be explained in a cursory way or in depth. In fact, in Virginia it is required to provide the sellers and buyers with the written explanation. How well they understand the consequences is another thing. Even when sellers and buyers agree to dual agency do they really understand the potential pitfalls? As REALTORS®
we have seen the variety of problems that can develop, many more than most people would realize unless they have bought and sold numerous properties.
This weekend I took a new listing and the seller said, while we were filling out the agreement, that she was saying no to dual agency as a result of my advice to her. Earlier this evening I read a post by Nannette Saunders, The Full Monty of Dual Agency and it, along with the discussion I had with my client, really made me wonder if Disclosed Dual Agency has a place in real estate.
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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate " Elim. She lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate. Reach Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/
NUMBERS GAME
Numbers Game
Sometimes you just need something to take your mind off of the current real estate market, blogging, sub-prime loans, foreclosures, and short sales.
If so, here's a little something for you. Those of you that have more than two minutes to think about it may be able to figure it out. I'm sure there is a very reasonable explanation for how this works but I am much too tired to try. Maybe I will let one of my brainy kids do that for me. Here you 
go http://www.quizyourprofile.com/guessyournumber.swf.
Now that you have had some fun (hopefully) you may go back to thinking of how to do more business. It is a well worth thinking about as most of us would like to have more transactions right now and throughout the year.
That's not to say there isn't some good news. Many people are seeing an up tick in their market. A larger number of buyers are out looking and sellers are being more realistic in their pricing. Contracts are actually be written and accepted (even if it is following some tense negotiations) and making their way to settlement.
There may not be enough good news but there is some, hopefully enough to go around.
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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate " Elim. She lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate. Reach Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/
Spring Inspiration and Positive Views of Lake Anna, VA
Spring Inspiration and Positive Views of Lake Anna, VA
Spring is a time of new beginnings, a time of hope and expectation. What a great time of year to consider a move to Lake Anna.
I cannot think of another time that gets the heart racing just a bit more with anticipation of fun times ahead, time to be with family and friends, time to get the boat ready to launch for a new season of boating, water skiing, fishing, and swimming. Thoughts also turn to lounging in the hammock or sitting down by the dock. It can be a time to rest and reflect.
Just the thought of drifting along on the water at a leisurely pace soaking in the sights is enough to inspire many to begin the search for a place to call their own here at the lake. For some it will mean a change to full-time lake living and for others it will be the purchase of a part-time home or getaway that will ensure a positive attitude during the work week for their weary souls.
Right now, before the leaves fill in and block the views you can cruise around the lake spotting homes that are tucked in secluded coves and on wooded lots. You are able to get a different perspective of the many neighborhoods around the lake from your boat than you do as you drive the country roads in the area.
Spring is a time of clear skies providing beautiful sunrises and spectacular sunsets. The sky and water are often filled with color. Sometimes it is soft pastels; pinks, violets, buttery yellows and at other times we witness the glory of vivid oranges and reds along with hot pinks. these are the things we look forward to and appreciate time and again.
(Look, Mom, no filters, no Photoshop, no hands...just another breathtaking sunset viewed from my home.)
In the past couple of days, I've passed alpacas, goats, cows and horses looking just a tad bit more energetic, some even downright frisky. They sense the time of year and realize that warm weather is here to stay, the days are longer, and the sun is brighter. Like us, they know spring is here.
The sky seems bluer and the clouds even more billowy. Grass is turning greener and leaves are popping out on the trees while daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips are making their welcomed appearance. Homes that have been looking a little stark and beginning to soften with the advent of blooming flowers and shrubs.
Best of all are the smiles on people's faces. Our winters are not bad at all but no matter how mild the winter is there is such happiness when we realize spring is really here. Spring is Mother Nature's gift to us.
Now give yourself a gift.
Visit Lake Anna this spring.
You may love it just as I do!
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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate " Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.
Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/
Photos by Kate Elim
One Take on the Current Housing Market
One Take on the Current Housing Market
(This was written March 3, 2008.)
This evening I was watching the Larry King show on CNN while also posting and commenting on the Rain. Towards the end of the broadcast he interviewed Gerri Willis. She is CNN's Personal Finance Editor, host of Open House a 1/2 hour real estate show on CNN, and also the author of Home Rich, Increasing the Value of the Biggest Investment of Your Life.
Ms. Willis' take on the current home market is that it is a very good time for some people to buy depending on the area. With interest rates where they are and the large inventory, it is a very good time for those that have funds for a down payment and very good credit scores. (I imagine realistic expectations would be good to have also.) 
She did add that it is still not feasible for many of our policemen, firemen, and teachers and others in service jobs to buy their own home. That continues to be true in most areas nationwide. Even with the lower prices most homes are still not affordable for many.
This is certainly true in my market and I imagine it is the same in many other areas. It is a good time to buy for some but not for everyone.
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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate " Elim. She lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate. Reach Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/