What I learned in Real Estate this week - 9/13/15

Real estate is a people business. As a real estate agent I am in marketing, advertising, sales, business, accounting, and so many other professions all wrapped up in to one job. However, at the core of what I do I take care of people. I put their needs at the forefront and help them achieve their goals of home ownership or home sales. I carefully and thoroughly listen to their ambitions, steer and guide them in the direction they need to walk to succeed. 

I always look forward to the first meeting between myself and a new client. It's a chance to get to know each other, start developing a relationship, and establish the expectations of the journey we're about to embark on. Every home buyer and seller are different and there are always various motives behind why they want to purchase or sell a property. We hit a stride with some clients early on and others take time to get in sync. There are individuals who we personally connect with and some who remain strictly professional throughout the transaction...read more. 

Animals of the MLS

Back to the canine variety with this week's Animals of the MLS. Here we have a very large but content family pet relaxing the day away on the back porch. If this guy were human I'd imagine him kicking back on the patio furntire with a nice cold beverage in his hand enjoying a cool afternoon breeze. It seems as if he doesn't have a care in the world by the looks of this picture. He certainly doesn't seem to have any animosity towards the agent taking pictures of his backyard domain.

Every animal has their favorite spot to lay down and I bet this little corner is his. He's a big fellow however, and I bet the agent made sure to advise potential buyers of his presence. I certainly hope he was crated or taken for a walk during showings as large breeds can make some individuals anxious and uneasy in spite of his otherwise calm demeanor being displayed here...read more. 

It's great to see flags are flying everywhere today

I will admit that I've gotten a little weary over the anti-American sentiment that's been being stirred by so many hate filled groups that are here in this Country. The irony is that they are free to talk badly about the Country they call home because of the sacrifices others have made to allow them that freedom.

Today being 9/11 we are reminded of the fact that there are very bad people in the World that will stop at nothing to inflict fear and harm on those who believe in peace and love. I'm so happy to see all the American flags flying everywhere today. It gives me a sense of hope that we just might come together as a united people again inspite of our political and social differences. A divided Nation cannot stand and 9/11 is a great reminder of what a Nation can do to love and heal when we all come together. 

AZ Division I - II Friday Night High School Football 9/11/15

Friday night is almost here. During this time of year that can only mean one thing to Arizona residents: High School Football! There are some great local Gilbert school matchups this week as well as other tough Division I and Division II games on the schedule. Get out there and support your local high school teams this weekend! Here are this week's games:

Division I

Mountain Pointe vs Boulder Creek 7:00pm at Boulder Creek

Highland vs Centennial 7:00pm at Centennial

Basha vs Desert Vista 7:00pm at Desert Vista

Hamilton vs Horizon 7:00pm at Horizon

Liberty vs Perry 7:00pm at Perry

Mountain View(Mesa) vs Pinnacle 7:00pm at Pinnacle

Brophy College Prep vs Red Mountain 7:00pm at Red Mountain

Division II

Gilbert vs Williams field 7:00pm at Williams Field

Canyon Del Oro vs Sahuaro 7:00pm at Sahuaro

Tolleson Union vs Apollo 7:00pm at Apollo

Corona del Sol vs Buena 7:00pm at Buena

Marcos de Niza vs Cienega 7:00pm at Cienega

Westview vs Deer Valley 7:00pm at Deer Valley

Salpointe Catholic vs Ironwood Ridge 7:00pm at Iron Ridge

Westwood vs Mesquite 7:00pm at Mesquite

Skyline vs Millennium 7:00pm at Millennium

Valley Vista vs Mountain Ridge 7:00pm at Mountain Ridge

Campo Verde vs Queen Creek 7:00pm at Queen Creek 

Dobson vs Saguaro 7:00pm at Saguaro

Canyon Del Oro vs Sahuaro 7:00pm at Sahuaro

Willow Canyon vs Sandra Day O'Conner 7:00pm at Sandra Day O'Conner

Mesa vs Shadow Ridge 7:00pm at Shadow Ridge

Desert Mountain vs St. Mary's 7:00pm at St. Mary's

Mountain View(Marana) vs Sunnyside 7:00pm at Sunnyside

Higley vs Tucson 7:00pm at Tucson

Light someone else's Candle

"Just as one candle lights another and can light thousands of other candles, so one heart illuminates another heart and can illuminate thousands of other hearts"  -  Leo Tolstoy

We have all been inspired or motivated by others at times when we may have been at a low point in our careers or personal lives. This was a great reminder for me that I can make a difference in providing light to someone else when they are in a dark place. I will make it a mission of mine each day to light someone else's candle that may have gone out. 

The Most Expensive Home sold in Arizona last week

Every area of the Country is known for it's certain style of home that builders and buyers are accustom to. When you think of houses in Arizona you think stucco exteriors, tile roofs, stone veneer accents, and small to non-existent front porches and front yards. The most expensive home that sold in Arizona last week seems as if it was transported from a Southern plantation and dropped off right in the middle of the desert. There is nothing Southwestern about this Colonial style house. 

Tall front porch columns greet you as you step on to a huge front porch. The interior of this home will also take you back in time to almost a civil war era style and design. The light fixtures, solid wood paneled library with a fireplace, paint scheme, and different wood floor patterns, are unlike anything you typically see here in this part of the Country. This type of home is usually know for being large and spacious and this property doesn't disappoint at almost 7,500 square feet in size...read more.