Just in case any of my clients are interested in what Jim and I do in our spare time here is our daily run down. While both of us have formed our lives around our real estate business, we believe in volunteering. It’s the giving to those around us that gives us a quality life. Earning a living vs making a life. Jim is actively involved with Toastmasters. This group focuses on public speaking and personal development. He goes to the prison and works with a group of people preparing to re-enter society. Another area of public speaking for Jim is organ donation education. There’s more… and occasionally I get him to fix a dripping faucet.

This year I will be president of our Spokane Association of Realtors. To think that my business peers thought enough of me to vote me into this responsibility is humbling. Last year was focused on preparation by national and state associations. 2010 is the big year! I believe in the skill and compassion of my Realtor friends and believe it is my responsibility to guide, inspire and provide the example for personal development and community involvement. The summary of our direction this year is “Realtors serving our community with Heart”! Professionally we serve our clients in the real estate world, personally we give of ourselves—finding the needs in our community.

Follow my blog this year to hear how all of us are making a difference! Our life’s journey is full of joy… finding it one day at a time!

Happy New Year! Another day, another year. In the blink of an eye life moves forward. In our private lives we make new goals, hoping to have learned from our past. While I won’t bore anyone with eternal goals like exercising more and eating healthier, maybe it is interesting to remember the things that were laughable last year.

A recent poll put “laughing till you cry” as one of life’s great small pleasures. Jim and I laughed till we cried at our granddaughters’ antics (and bored everyone with the stories), chuckled at yet another lost set of keys, smiled at the mouse that scuttled past my feet while having my morning coffee (well, that was after my determination to “get him”), happily watched our sons’ parenting skills, and cried with joy as we watched families purchase their first home. Pure joy for us!

It’s going to be a terrific year ahead. Both of us have major projects ahead and look forward to finding those “laughable moments”!! A friend of mine uses this signature line “Happy, happy, happy”. Everybody together now, focus!

Christmas is about to pop up as reality once again. All of us at Linda Miller Real Estate want to wish you the very best holiday season. Jim and I are very blessed with energies for business, family and volunteer projects. Further, we are grateful for all of our friends and clients that have made our business year a success once again. Thanks also to Mike our photographer and IT guy, the office staff at the north Prudential office… and the list goes on. Merry Christmas everyone!

I have just hung up the phone and wish I had never answered the ring! All of us get those pesky sales people that sneak through the no-call list. Realtors are no exception. They offer us names of people that will surely guarantee huge commissions; web site magic that will draw absolutely everyone to www.lindamiller.com; special gifts to give to clients so they will love me more than ever; and motivational sessions that will keep me working less and making more money!

Of course, I make every effort to say no kindly. I don’t have time right now – I’m actually with a client – I’m taking a break from teaching an all day class – I just happen to be sitting at my computer trying to finish mass amounts of email. Then there’s the tactic that Jim and Mike are asking that I not use any more – let me give you name and number of the person in my business that handles the web site and/or finances. Now it starts to get really funny… the pushy assertions that I must not want to be successful… and it goes on from there. Until I say good-by.

Why would I share this with all of you that read this blog? I only want to help you, and offer to help you, when you need my help. If you don’t want my newsletters, just say so. If I have called you at a bad time, tell me. Many Realtors have regular calling schedules asking for referrals and business. I have always been uncomfortable thinking I might be taking your precious time. Just know this, I want to be helpful. I earn my living helping others with their real estate needs. I know I am good at what I do and I love my chosen profession. Call me… I promise to be nice!

In the last few days I have driven by three serious car accidents. It is very unsettling to see the destruction of someone’s car and more seriously, personal injuries. It made me think of all the cars I pass as I drive on our streets and highways. My car is like another office for me. The fast food wrappers, water bottles, crumbs, loose change, etc. Files stacked beside me in a box — that was in the hopes I could be a bit more organized. As I reflected on other cars — full of kid’s toys, snacks and huge car seats — I realized that it is amazing how most of the time we get to our destinations without damage.

It’s the same thought process that took me to how we perceive all news and situations. The glass really is half full! Look at our real estate market — there is a lot of activity with buyers out looking and sellers realizing that our Spokane area is a relatively stable marketplace. Certainly we have cycles of appreciation, but we have a good economic base. We are blessed. Today it’s a buyer’s market and it will change again. Take advantage of the timing — it’s time to buy and achieve the American Dream — a home of your own. Tell your friends…

Scareeeey!!….

That word has escaped my lips several times lately. Let’s deal with the obvious. Halloween is coming. Costumes are frightening and scareeeey! Rarely cute and precious. Remember when we dressed up as Mickey Mouse, a cuddly bear or the ole’ lady that lived around the block? My three year old granddaughter is dressing as one of the fashionable “princess” figures that are so popular. Better than scareeeey, says her grandmother.

Then here’s another scareeeey: have you noticed the stock market lately? Now that’s scareeeey. Because our family members do some trading it’s a common topic of conversation. So, were we up, or down, or sideways? Yup, scareeeey.

In my mail last week came this note (no return address or signature): “We don’t like your new picture. It makes you look old. Please use your other picture. It makes you look young and vibrant. Thanks.” Now, that’s scareeeey. In our real estate industry we often laugh at those agents that have used the same picture for their entire 30 year career. If one should meet them for the first time, there would be no recognition! So, I have updated my picture regularly, and with a professional photographer in the family it’s not too big of a deal. Yes, my picture is current. I am OLD. I have gray hair and glasses. And loving every minute of it. But, everyone has decided that I am due for another picture soon—keep watching. Maybe the next one will provide a more vibrant Linda Miller and won’t be quite so “scareeeey”!!

The life of a Realtor in the summer months can be complicated. Maybe it’s like the hospital emergency room during ski season. Showing more houses, working with out-of-town visitors, and of course the class to attend or teach. In general more business activity. Then, what about family summer activities? Jim and I are not boaters or water enthusiasts–but we have four granddaughters. That means a visit to the grandparents is a required activity. What joy! Love ‘em, spoil ‘em, and send them back to Mom and Dad. So this summer is a series of important visits. Gotta love life!!

So what do you think of the new look? We’ve had Linda’s real hair and glasses up for a couple of months now, and you probably noticed that in the newsletter. The property search interface and display is all new as is this blog column.

When I was younger, I would say that if I wanted more money, I needed to get more debt. As I’ve matured, I abandoned that theory, however pressure can create action. Mike has been busy with other major clients and developed our new look at his leisure, or at least without pressure. Changing the house banner was easy. Revamping the site was major. Then I wrote in the newsletter about the updated website and invited you here. Mike said, “let me know before the newsletter goes out.” Whoops, already in the mail. I think he worked yesterday and most of last night, but here we are. There is plenty left to do and you should check in to make sure we get it done.

We’re pleased with the listing property displays from the search results. You immediately see all the photos available. I like the Google map. I’ve probably already pulled up the satellite view and looked at your house. Vacant property search will come online soon. It requires a different database and display.

If you’re like me, you click the button and view without thinking about how the computer makes the picture. A web programmer like Mike says it aint that simple. Mike said that the reason he’s missing half his hair today is because he was having problems making the search data display correctly in IE6&7 and Safari. I use Firefox and it looked fine to me. A large part of the world uses Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, so that was not good, and Safari is the Apple Browser, so he was knocking out all MacIntosh users; bad again. As of this writing, it all works and Mike won’t need a haircut soon.

And, what do you think of those 2009 tax assessments that just came out? The law says that assessed value should be the same as market value. We all know that our house is worth less than the assessor says, right? That is until it’s time to sell. Now guess what we think it’s worth. OK, that’s an old joke. Linda and I have a couple of properties. One went down and one went up. I’ve checked with others and found the same. We know the market is slower right now with more propertys for sale, and more foreclosures than the recent past. So we would expect the Assessor to be a little understanding. As an appraiser, I did an analysis and decided that both our valuations are reasonable. I haven’t always felt that way in the past. So, we won’t appeal this year. The state audit report for 2007 says the the median assessed value for Spokane County is 96% of the median market value. Some times the Assessor really misses the mark. If he has on you house, you should appeal, but have your facts straight and data in hand before you go. And good luck. It isn’t easy to convince government that they are wrong.

I’ve talked a lot in these opening posts. This is intended to be a conversation, and while I can talk all day, we want to hear from you on these issues. Make a comment, or send an email to say Hi. And remember; WE HATE SPAM. You will not get unsolicited email from us ever and we won’t ever knowingly give your address to anyone for any reason. Oh yeah, just a small disclaimer, we always give it up for cops with court orders.

I’ll be back