Shake It Up Durham: 5 is the magic number!

5 is the magic number!

So let's celebrate!!

Many of you know my oldest child, Owen, turned 5 this month. It's hard to believe. I began my real estate career 4 years before he was born. A lot of my clients worked with me before kids and are often shocked when they run into me with 2 kiddos.

In honor of celebrating the life of my smart, charming, witty and loving little guy, I'm writing 5 blog posts containing 5 points or tips each. I'm hoping you'll read them, (I mean early May was the last time I posted on this blog) and I hope you'll gain humor or possible pointers to help you in home ownership.

Cheers to many more years of fun with Owen Henry! And cheers to home ownership!

So How Do You Get There From Here?

Did you realize that only 3% of all people have written goals? And 98% of the most successful people carved out time to set written goals.

I learned this eyebrow-raising statistic today at a real estate seminar. And as I sit in my hotel room in Richmond overlooking the beautiful city skyline at night, I began to think my clients and friends may want to know a little more about goal-setting.

Joe Niego, Buffini and Company presenter, broke the process down today into four well thought out steps:

1. What do you truly want? What are your Gotta have it goals?
2. Mind Dumping: When you write down any idea, thought, question or concern that comes to mind when you think about that goal.
3. Stepping Stones or Action steps: What specific actions will you do to move you closer to your goal.
4. Put together a Persuader Statement: List the benefits for reaching your goal and what consequences you will face if you do not achieve your goal.

Joe reminded us that everyone has the ability to succeed in life and follow their dreams. We just need to dream a little and then spell out how to get there. And finally.... Take action!

I would love to hear your "Gotta Have It Goals." Comment on this post if you would. I would like to support you in achieving those goals. Goodnight Richmond!

Adults and Kids Both Catch The Wind!

Durham's Museum of Life and Science.... Did Someone Say Radio-Controlled Sailboats?

I visited Durham's Museum of Life and Science last week with my boys and our friends. Every time I visit, which is by far not often enough, I am amazed at just how much fun we have in our Durham back yard.

After riding the Museum's train, our friends guided us over to flap giant wings to learn how insects fly by moving their wings forward and backward, not up and down. (taken from Catch The Wind, source lifeandscience.org). 

Catch The Wind, a current outside exhibit inspired this blog post as I watched my little guys steer sailboats around a 5,000-square -foot elliptical sailboat pond (source lifeandscience.org). I sat back and watched as my own friends, too, enjoyed the sailboat pond with their son.

After peeling all the boys away from the boats, we continued our exercise by strolling over to watch the Lemurs play. We then ended our Museum visit for the day at Take Off!, a bungee trampoline that boosts participants 20 feet above the ground. Boys and bungee trampolines? Yes, they indeed had fun.

Many Museum visitors take advantage of Museum memberships for deep discounts on admission. Also every Wednesday is Durham Donation Day where admission is waived for Durham County residents from 1-5 p.m.

From Their Hearts

Did you know?

One thing I knew about Go Realty before joining the company is that the company matches contributions from each closing to the charitable organization of the agent's choice. I'm not sure why I never stopped to think about this area of the company.

It's always special when an individual or company gives to another, but rarely do you hear of individuals getting to choose where the money goes.

At a recent "Go Huddle" (AKA sales meeting) checks were announced to be given to different organizations including the Symphony, Urban Ministries, Children's Craniofacial Association and more. Having rebounded from a slower time in my business, I hadn't prioritized giving to others as much as I would have wanted. But at this meeting, I became excited again about the idea of helping others even if in a small way.

I'm still trying to decide which organization I would like to give a small portion of each closing check to. But knowing that Go Realty will match my gift from each closing means my company stands behind supporting those who need it most. And this, my friends, is what life is all about. It takes a village!

Trulia tells 5 Tips Sellers Would Give Buyers If They Could

If Only Buyers Knew!

I stumbled upon this article yesterday from Trulia.com, a Web site many sellers and buyers frequent for home advice. It gives great advice for buyers who are looking to make the best offer on a home they have found. Instead of reinventing the wheel on this one, I decided to post the article below. Because... inquiring minds want to know.

Click here for tips!

Note: I recommend the advice of an experienced Realtor to give you home advice and pricing on homes. While Trulia.com provides some great information, it is unable to give the unique sales information Realtors make in evaluating comparable sales and determining market value.

Real Estate or Zumba?

So... Are you a Realtor or a Zumba Instructor?

I think people often wonder if I have multiple personalities. After all, I do have 3 separate Facebook pages in addition to my profile page:

1. Andrea Hirth, Realtor

2. Zumba with Andrea Hirth

3. Allie (devoted to the daily aches and pains of my lovely little Acura).

In fact, I think some people wonder what the heck it is that I "do?" After all, doesn't everyone have some sort of identity or job? Some people are moms. Some are dads, doctors, attorneys, writers, teachers, garbage and tax collectors, etc. I mean the list goes on and on. But does one's identity have to be just one thing? Does a dad have to be just a dad? Or does a mom have to be just a mom? Well... is that even possible?

Yes, I am a mom, wife, sister, and daughter, but I can't just stop there. Not that it's not enough. But life is about gelling it all together. (Is gelling even a word?). When you are a mom, for instance, you find yourself involved in other activities, PTAs, volunteer at preschool, writing, exercise and church, amongst other things. Some moms and dads are able to, or choose to, dedicate their "full-time schedule" to raising their kids and participating in these outside activities. Others decide, or maybe need to, have additional jobs outside of the home for many reasons.

I think the confusion comes in when people think you must choose to do only one thing. Why choose just one or two? Life is about choices. What's really cool about my life and the choices I've made, is I get the privilege of combining exercise and "work." You could say Realtor is my "job," and that is certainly true. It is how I pay my bills. I appreciate the opportunity to help every single one of my clients with their purchases and sales. It is truly what pays my mortgage, and puts food on the table. It also brings me joy to help others!

And, "on the side," I'm a licensed Zumba instructor. I get paid to exercise with my friends. I mean really, how much cooler can a job be? I would have to fit in exercise anyways, so why not get paid for it? Exercise is a strong word! I prefer to burn 700+ calories on the dance floor with other motivated people than on a treadmill. And, yes, I get paid to do this!

I also market amazing skin care and health and wellness products (that I use on myself) to others. I can't help but mention this as well. The stuff rocks. Have you seen my skin? :)

Back to the issue at hand....how does this all work together and what is the advantage to you for choosing a realtor who wears different hats? It works together easily, I exercise when anyone else would exercise... when I can squeeze it in. But there are soooo many advantages to knowing such a person as myself. Not trying to boast, but I have connections. Just check out my fb page, I have 729 fb friends (i.e. people I know or have a connection with in some way or another). I have many connections on Linked In. I probably know close to 50 people from different Zumba classes I either teach or attend. I know quite a few people from the large church I attend and my kids go to for preschool.

These are connections that know people who may want to purchase your home. These connections may know someone who is getting ready to put his/her home up for sale, and it may be just what you are looking for.

So.... I haven't chosen one career or life path. But, I have chosen to surround myself with a lot of people. Use that to your advantage! 

P.S. I almost forgot... busy people are the most efficient at getting the job done!