Linda's Southeastern CT Real Estate Blog

I'm originally from the city of Pittsburgh. I was born, raised and attended school there. I still love Pittsburgh and all that goes with living in the city - a championship football team, shopping, museums, music and the arts. But you gotta love living in a small town like Ledyard, CT, as I have for the past 35 years. My friends, who cheer for the New England Patriots, kindly tolerate my dedication to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One of my rituals throughout the day is checking the local online newspaper site to see what is being reported. On Friday, the following was listed as BREAKING NEWS:

Turkey vs. Car Slows Traffic on I-395

Traffic was backed up briefly on Interstate 395 North this afternoon after a turkey wandered onto the highway and flew into the windshield of an oncoming car.  The Connecticut State Police at Troop E in Montville said the driver of the car was not injured in the collision, which occurred at about 2:15 p.m.  The turkey did not survive the impact.

Yep, like I said, you gotta love living in a small town area.  Although I miss my old hometown, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I could write a book about showing houses in Eastern Connecticut.  Some chapters would be about the houses themselves.  Others would be about the clients.  Maybe the chapters could be divided into emotions.  Funniest Showing.  Scariest Showing.  And of course, a whole chapter would be dedicated to the finding of the naked man in the house during the showing story.  Now and again, a bunch of real estate agents will be together and tell their showing tales. Someone suggests that the group collect all the stories and write a book about it.  It never happens.   

One of my favorite series of showings was to a family of 12 back a few years ago.  They were delightful to work with.  All 10 children were present at every showing. Ages 3 - 16.  I remember the very first home I showed them.  I stood back watching in the foyer as the whole family went up the stairs.  Not one of those children put a hand on the wall as they climbed up in pairs. I knew right then it was going to be ok.   

I've been in the real estate business for 30 years. Before I formed a team, I showed a lot of houses.  I remember the days of driving around with relocation clients.  Showing 25 houses on a weekend was not unusual.  We'd stop at a restaurant mid day and review the MLS summary sheets.  (By the way, 5 years ago, you could feed a family of 12 for $64 at McDonalds.)   Some buyers would write lots of notes on the sheets and we'd rank them in order.  We'd refer to the houses, not by their address, but by some unique feature...like the house with the giraffe wallpaper or the house with the squeeky floors. Or we'd refer to a house by the occupant...like the house with the scary lady with the curlers in her hair house or the guy drinking beer by the pool house.  

Funny, how the internet has changed all that.  Buyers now have already weeded out the homes they want to see before they arrive.  They know all the details about the interior from the photos they see online. (Note to sellers:  Do you realize how important those interior photos are?  For Pete's sake, clean off the kitchen counters.  AND be sure to use an agent who can actually use a camera!)  

I don't show houses anymore but I have a whole bunch of great stories.  Most of them make me laugh.  Did I tell you the one about the naked guy in the basement?  Hey, maybe I'll write a book someday.  

Visistat - another one of my favorite things!  

In the past, I've blogged about how I use VisiStat to track visitors to my Eastern CT Real Estate Blog.   I love watching the visitors show up on the live statcaster on my desktop.  Sometimes when we are feeling goofy, I'll yell out the name of the town to my assistant.  For instance, I'll yell New Port Richey Florida and she'll yell "GO New Port Richey!!  (We don't drink during the day, honest.) 

OK...here's the news.  VisiStat's real-time analytics are now compatible with our Active Rain blogs. I first saw VisiStat at the CyberProfessionals seminar in New Orleans during the National Association of Realtors Convention. Tina Bean, from VisiStat, presented their graphical website tracking environment.  It's really a cool product that gives you visibility into the effectiveness of your blog or websites.

I don't want this to sound like a paid announcement and no, I don't love the product so much that I bought the company.  But I do like it a lot and it has a prominent place in my technology tool kit!   Here's what VisiStat does for me:  Within the context of my blog, VisiStat tells me which entries are most popular, where my blog readers are coming from, including their geographic location. I especially find useful their keyword trending report.  (Talk about the long tail!  - I'm really amazed at what people search to find me!)

Every morning, after I read my email, I head straight to Visistat and check out what's been happening over nite on my blog.  Yes, I'm addicted.  

You can find more information and a live demo at their website. Tina can be reached at tina@visistat.com.   Check it out!

GO San Diego, CA!           GO Baton Rouge, LA!        GO Cleveland, OH!

Did you ever lose a big deal, a wonderful listing, or a high end buyer?  Did you ever beat yourself up over it?  If only I had said this, or done that? 

I always tell my agents when they lose business to think about it for just 15 minutes. Take only 15 minutes and think about what you might have done to make a difference in the outcome.   And then GET OVER IT!!!!!

I'm delighted to find out that there is a website and special day dedicated to just that!  Today is "Get over it Day".  On the website you'll find "Get over it" videos, music and a message board.  Some submissions are sad, while others are pathetic. A few are very  funny!  

So how about it??   GET OVER IT!  As the website says "It could always suck more!"

I need to get over:   Taking an overpriced listing. In really lousy condition. With an uncooperative seller.   How stupid was that?   I know better!!  

Ok, I'm over it.  It won't happen again.  Really.