Eastside Real Estate Working-for-you!

My Job: I'ts About People, Not Houses

By Greg Perry
Eastside Realtor

I used to do an "elevator commercial" at a networking group, that went like this, "Births, deaths and empty nests.  Upsize, Downsize or No size (lose a job).  Marraige or Divorce (which may lead to remorse) are all life changes that often lead to making a change in people's real estate goals."

And it's TRUE!

On Friday, Donald and Megan recieved the keys to their new home.  They were first time buyers and were expecting their first child.  I loved them from our initial meeting.  They were attentive to the process, asked great questions and were excited to get started.  After a couple of weeks taking care of a few details for their loan, we went looking.

We found a wonderful house in a very nice neighborhood.  The house was nicely kept both inside and out and had plenty of room for an expanding family.   

Here's a photograph of Donald and Megan posing in front of their home on closing day:

As you can see, Megan is very pregnant!

Well, I always call after a client moves in to their new home to make sure that everything went smoothly and that there were no "surprises"  that we couldn't anticipate.  I called Donald on Monday and didn't get him live.  On Tuesday, I got the following message:  

"Hi Greg!

 Sorry for not returning your call, things got a bit hectic around here. We got moved over on Saturday, with Megan directing. We didn't get even a full nights rest in the new house when at 4am Sunday Megan's water broke. Went into the hospital around 7am. After a long day for Megan and I, our beautiful baby boy Neil was born at 2.53am on April 9th. It was excellent timing, as both our parents were in town to help us move, so they got to unpack our stuff, setup the baby's room and meet him on Monday.

Thanks again for all your help,

Donald"

And here's baby Neil!

 From Donald:

"I was reflecting today that the two days in the hospital and coming home with a baby made the transition into the new house go really well. A great way to start a big new chapter in our lives :). Plusthe house was so move in ready, the previous owners did a wonderful job keeping it up.

Thanks,

Donald"

Keys on Friday.  Move in Saturday.  New family member Sunday.

 

And I'm in a good mood.  

 

 

 

Monday's Inspiration -- Just A Dog

 

Just a Dog 

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog." 

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

 Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. 

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. 

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. 

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.    

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human." 

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."                                  ~Richard A. Biby

Monday's Inspiration - Liberty

Here is a thought provoking quote on Liberty by Abe Lincoln:

"We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men's labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name - liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names - liberty and tyranny."

 

What does "Liberty" mean to you?

Monday's Inspiration - Attraction - Change Your Day Today

Take the time to watch this short video.  It will change your day today.

Monday's Inspiration -- A fresh start

"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down."

Mary Pickford

Monday's Inspiration -- Resolve

"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate that can circumvent, or hinder, or control the firm resolve of a determined soul."

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Monday's Inspiration -- Responsibility

The 10 Cannots

By William J. H. Boetcker

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.

You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.

You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.

You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.

You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.

You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.

You cannot establish security on borrowed money.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.

Monday's Inspiration: Time

"Time is our most valuable asset, yet we tend to waste it, kill it, and spend it rather than invest it."

"We can no more afford to spend major time on minor things than we can to spend minor time on major things."

"The greatest definition for concentration I ever heard is, "Wherever our are, be there!"

"You don't get paid for the hour.  You get paid for the value you bring to an hour."

"Time is more valuable than money.  You can get more money, but you can't get more time."

                                                                                        Jim Rohn

Monday's Inspiration - Integrity / Character

Here are some quotes by Zig Ziglar on the subject of Integrity and Character:

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to his or her commitment to excellence, regardless of his or her chosen field of endeavor.

"Keep your thinking right and your business will be right"

"When a company or an individual compromises one time, whether it's on price or principle, the next compromise is right around the corner."

"What you do off the job is the determining factor in how far you will go on the job."

"When we do more than we are paid to do, eventually we will be paid more for what we do."

Monday's Inspiration -- Words to live by, The Scout Law

I memorized these words over 45 years ago when I was starting in Boy Scouts:

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

Good words!