Friday, December 17, 2010

Reflections on Connections

The tag line for my real estate business is "Smart Connections Between Hearts and Homes".  It's really my mission statement.  In my e-newsletter I provide my clients a snapshot of housing sale price and volume trends.  I'm constantly trying to stay on the pulse of the direction the market is going - because that's what my Buyers and Sellers need to know when they are in the midst of a transaction.  It actually means keeping up with multiple micro-markets by geography, price, and type of home.  I read everything I can and also track what my clients are experiencing because, quite frankly, we are creating the trends before they're reported. 

So that's the "smart" part of my mission.  It is such an important part of what I do, it is easy to miss the opportunity to enjoy the "heart" part.  I want my clients to make a smart decision, but I also hope for them a warm-hearted decision. 

Last weekend I got to visit with a client who bought a condo in Arlington back in  April 2007.  It was so wonderful to see the personal touches she had added.  Even more wonderful to hear her say how much she loved living there, she never wanted to move, and it was the best decision she'd every made.  Erika, you made my day. It doesn't get any better than that!

We spend a lot of time number crunching, looking at comps, and negotiating the best possible deal.  But the best part of owning a home is the joy and love experienced there.  It's the way the light shines in the kitchen window in the afternoon.  The sound of rain on the sky lights.  The dogs playing a wild game of chase around and around in the family room.  Loved ones gathered around the table holding hands before Thanksgiving dinner.

This holiday season, I hope each of you have time to breathe deeply and reflect on the connection you have with your own home.  I wish for you sun shining through a window and hand-holding at the table.  Peace.