When Sugar Waffles Explode

Kyle had his first marching band parade a few weeks back for the West Alexandria Octoberfest. I knew he was excited because he brought his trumpet home a few days before to practice! The band sounded really great, and they all seemed to be having a good time. Makes a former band geek like myself proud when he sees his son in his first parade. We stayed for the festival looking at the different booths and talking to friends. After lunch, we decided that we would get a bag of sugar waffles and split it between the three of us. Kyle had never had one before, and when he took his first bite, it exploded into a hundred pieces, powdered sugar flying everywhere (we are happy to report no innocent bystanders were injured by the exploding sugar waffle). Kyle thought it was the funniest thing he had ever seen. We all got a good chuckle out of it.

If you linked here from my website, you may have noticed the FireFox links. I have been using FireFox for about a year now, and love it. It's fast, reliable, and free, what more could you want? I challenge each of you reading this blog to click on the FireFox logo and download the latest version and try it for a week. You won't regret it!

What were you doing this past Saturday?

My wife and I participated in the Breast Cancer Awareness walk in Downtown Dayton this past Saturday. Although the morning started off a little cool, it turned out to be a nice day and there was a great turn out for this event. Thanks to everyone that showed up and raised money for this event. Let's hope a cure is found soon. To all of the sponsors and organizers of the event, you did a terrific job!

We spent part of the day Sunday morning going out with Brian & Carrie Reed. Dana had never been to their new home so she got the grand tour. Then we headed out to breakfast. It was nice to have some carbs for a change, Dana and I both got a pancake with our meal, it was a real treat! I spent part of the afternoon watching 'Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle'. Brian warned me that the last 20 minutes were really bad. He wasn't kidding, this has got to be one of the worst movies ever made. It had a few moments, but there's and hour and a half of my life I'll never get back. If you have ever seen this movie, or shut it off half way through, then you know what I'm talking about. It was as bad as the movie 'Half Baked' which I must admit, I didn't see all the way through because it was so bad I turned it off after the first 15 minutes. I glad Brian loaned it to me instead of paying for it.

Have to get back to work for now. Have a great day!

Real Estate market slowing? Hardly....

With all the talk in the media about the slow down in real estate, I've been asking myself lately where it is happening? I have been busier than I ever have, and continue to pick up new clients on a regular basis. Sure, statistically this time of year is a little slower, but I have been lucky to be picking up business that others are passing up. I also ask how many people in the media sell properties for a living to really know what they're talking about. Enough said.

I also had an experience this week where a client wanted to use my services and time, but not sign a contract to represent her in the purchase of her new home. She was adamant that I was going to do research for her, spend time driving her around to look at properties, possibly work with a builder, and let her have the right to cut me out of any deal at her discretion. I think she was rather shocked when I told her that as a Real Estate Professional, I didn't do business that way, and since I provide all of my clients with full service, I work off of a contract for those services. We agreed to dis-agree and parted company. Life is too short.

We have had several new agents join our firm in the last week, and are continuing to have agents call or drop by to find out about what we have to offer. We expect to see quite a jump in our roster this winter as agents look at their current brokerage and benefits and weigh that against what we offer. It's a very exciting time to be part of Exit Realty Partners!

Have a great week-end everyone, and I'll post more next week.

An Old Friend Stops By For Lunch!

No, I'm not calling Gene Seiber old by any means, but he did stop by last week to drop off a book and have lunch with me. It was good to see him, and I think he was impressed with what we have accomplished in our offices in such a short period of time. I think our music server blew him away (yes, it is cool!).

Our business is growing rather quickly, both in listings and new agents. Exit recently announced offices in Fairborn and Beavercreek. We are excited to see these offices coming up.

I have been spending a lot of time working on some new technologies that we will be putting into place in the first quarter of next year. I unfortunately cannot share with you what those technologies are, and it's killing me. All I can say is if you are a Realtor working at Exit Realty Parters, hold on for the ride of your life, it's going to be incredible!

My real estate business continues to gain momentum and doesn't seem to show any signs of slowing down. I have a new agent coming to work with me as a buyers agent and interviewed another potential agent yesterday that is just completing her classes.

Kyle and Dana are doing well. We are on the South Beach Diet and giving up carbs has got to be one of the hardest things I have ever done. Now I know what smokers must go through when they quit. But, I have lost some weight and we are working out a few nights a week as well. I feel better and am starting to notice my energy level increasing. Wish us luck on this!