Pivoting towards success.

PIVOT/PIVOTAL -
- any thing/person on which something/someone depends on vitally.
- the person in a line, whom the others use as a point about which to wheel or maneuver.
- of crucial importance. 

- a player who is at the centre of the offence.

There are moments in your life that are pivotal, times when everything you thought you knew gets tilted on it's axis and you are left a little (or a lot) off kilter. These are the times I relish.
I have had a few of these amazing moments when my entire plan & path were changed monumentally. Somehow I was able to take these crazy, tilting, shifting, abrupt realizations and run with them.

One of those times was at the age of 19. I had travelled as part of the Canadian team to Denver & San Francisco with teams of the top 5 equestrians from Canada, USA, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand & Australia. Up to this point I had ridden horses and competed in the Maritime provinces successfully but had never thought I had what it took to compete on an international stage.
The spine tingling, hair raising moment happened as I stood on the podium as the flags were raised and the National Anthem was played. I had never had such a clear vision of what I wanted to do before that moment, I wanted to see that maple leaf on display on the international stage and I wanted to (and actually felt I could) be the athlete who brought it there.

Reaching the top level of my sport wasn't so much a moment as it was a collection of realizations while competing alongside Olympians and heroes I had grown up pouring over in magazines and on VHS tapes. As one of only a tiny percentage of athletes worldwide that have been able to achieve at this level, I was overwhelmed more than once to have had the support and perseverance to make it that far coming from a very small town of a couple thousand residents in the Annapolis Valley.  

One such awakening moment was the decision to move home to Nova Scotia after being away for a decade. I had thought my fortune and fame (and happiness) hinged upon living somewhere more opportunistic, and the east coast of Canada could not provide that. The realization then had a little bit to do with coming to terms with a partner that wasn't right for me, but much more in seeing that opportunity doesn't reveal itself to you, nor does it depend on your external circumstances. In fact the revealing must be done yourself. Whether that means you do the digging and sifting to find it, or perhaps you have to take chances and allow yourself to be exposed to reveal what you are ultimately capable of as an individual.

A more recent turning point was during what could have been a completely devastating moment in my life. My partner (now husband) and I had purchased out first home a few years before and were working diligently at making it our own as it was a bit of a fixer-upper. While preparing for bed we heard something strange and realized we needed to call the fire department, there were tendrils of smoke wisping from the eves of the house.
We couldn't have imagined how significant it would turn out to be.  As we stood wide-eyed in the snowbank late at night in November and watched helplessly as thick, black smoke billowed from the four corners of the roof, I realized that I wasn't doing what I wanted to be doing on a daily basis. I wasn't completely fulfilled at my job (although I enjoyed it), I had been putting off a dream I had been fantasizing about since we bought the house. The next day I decided that I wasn't going back to my old job, I was going to take this time while the house was being rebuilt to invest in myself and get my real estate licence.

I suppose I should say that perhaps it's not the actual moments that I relish, but that they provided me with the complete clarity and ability to step back to assess what was/is legitimately important. Don't be fooled! These moments can disguise themselves as failures or have negative overtones, but the results of those times have provided me with the most amazing opportunity to fix things that I had let slide or brushed under the rug.
This is why I can say that occasional pivoting and abruptly changing direction can be the best possible course of action.

I Don't Need No REALTOR®!

Over the course of my career in real estate I have come across many people that balk at the thought of working with a professional in the industry. There are several reasons for this, some of them valid... And some of them entirely scary.

"I want to save money on the commission".
At face value this may seem to have some truth, but once you delve deeper into the idea you will find that a REALTOR® is there to protect their client in every way. A simple error or not fully understanding the paperwork could end up costing you majorly. Not to mention omissions I hear about all the time that are potentially catastrophic in terms of resale value down the road. There are PILES of paperwork that need to be meticulously filled out, carried out and investigations of things most people were entirely unaware of!!

"I know my property the best and can highlight it's assets."
While this may be true, a REALTOR® has a level, unbiased perspective on any property. Just because the home was custom built for you, doesn't mean it will appeal to everyone. Emotional value does not necessarily equate to monetary value. A great deal of homes that are For Sale by Owner are not priced according to market value.

A REALTOR® knows things that you don't. Whether you are moving from another country or another county, a professional will direct you to testing or investigations that you may have otherwise known nothing about. Things that could have a long term effect on your investment and well being.

Negotiating is tricky, especially when talking about a purchase of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Peoples homes are very personal and I often see sellers get offended by offers that were too low, and then end up put off by the process and unwilling to negotiate with the buyer further (down the road they end up negotiating favorably with a different buyer and settling on a sale price that would have worked before - opportunity slipped away on account of improper technique). Having access to historical stats and comparables is key, as well as being able to read people and be able to solidly back up any deviations above or below list price.

Last but not least - a local professional that relies on referrals and is held accountable by a Provincial and National Code of Ethics is far more reliable than a vendor that may skip the country after the sale is complete. You can rest assured that the appropriate level of disclosure was adhered to in the transaction if you enlist the services of a licenced professional.

Home is Where You Hang Your Hammer

I have lived in many places over the course of my lifetime, and in many situations as well! I have been awoken most mornings this summer by a construction crew either crashing through demolition work or banging away at construction. We are currently in the midst of an addition that rivals the footprint of our existing Victorian century home and this comes as the memories of an 8 month complete gut and rebuild are all but faded.

The disruption has come to a point where my morning routine includes the essentials like several strangers yelling at each other and country music blasting outside the bathroom window (which I have had to cover with a blanket, as the existing curtains were NOT providing the privacy needed). I have to admit though, the renovation is pleasingly coming together to the point that I can walk around in what will be the new 22' x 28' master bedroom and visualise where the 22' walk in closet will be... Swoon!
It's a dramatic love/hate relationship.

After much deliberation and research my husband and I decided on this project as it would seem that our relationship thus far has been consistently changing. Over our years together we have lived in 6 different communities in the Valley. 5 years ago we bought our first home together and since have renovated, landscaped and built on to that home! While I really do appreciate all the changes (once they are done), it has not been without a great deal of effort, planning and occasional headaches. I certainly have gotten a firm grasp on the foresight and issues surrounding making a house into a forever home. The truth is that more often than not, there is something that new buyers will want to change to make their new home really theirs. It may be painting, changing flooring, landscaping, increasing energy efficiency or bigger projects like changing layout or construction. In essentially all of these cases I can help as I have lived through them all!

If you are thinking about making a move I can help! Whether it be consulting on projects that will increase the resale value of your current home, or finding you a home for the future. Being a great REALTOR® is much more than just buying & selling.  

Professional Ink

I am always interested in hearing peoples opinions on tattoos and piercings, whether negative or positive. It fascinates me to get a glimpse of how someone chooses to decorate or adorn themselves, and the subsequent reactions that are generated.

Tattoos in the workplace have historically had very limited acceptance but recently have become more mainstream. There are statistics bouncing around that show...
30-40% of people aged 30-45 have tattoos
15% aged 46-64 are sporting ink
70% of tattooed people conceal their art at work
Generally speaking what most would consider "artsy" type careers are more accepting of body modifications and it can even be encouraged.

Personally I have been tattooed multiple times and I have several piercings. I have never been asked to conceal my tattoos or remove my jewelry at any workplace. I have received many compliments from people all over the world, spanning all age groups and backgrounds. My tattoo designs are not offensive in any way, and all are easily covered should I choose to do so. I simply carry my favorite artwork with me on a daily basis, rather than hanging it on a wall.  

I do get occasional comments on my appearance, given I have chosen a career where most of my colleagues are more conservative, it can be a surprise to some.
My feeling is that tattoos are a sign of an individuality, creativity, and an ability to think outside the box.
I am not afraid to show my personality as I am confident in myself and my abilities.
I have found that a fresh and unconventional approach garners more success and positive outcomes.

I would love to hear your take on this subject! Let me know what you think, comment or share!

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week.

It's been on of THOSE weeks, the ones that destroy everything in their path. They come ripping through like a tornado of destruction and leave you standing there in the wake, dishevelled and dirty, holding a broken flip flop to shield your eyes from the sun.

Blah, blah... "you have to experience the downs to appreciate the highs", whatever. I like to share my experiences with the world, whether it's been good or downright terrible, so here goes... for your comedic enjoyment... Megans Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Week.

Let's start with closings, they are usually fun and exciting, finally your buyers get to celebrate their long awaited purchase! But other times, they do not quite go so well. How about when the property is not clean? And I mean FILTHY DIRTY! The water was turned off and the place looks and smells like Mr Clean himself would head for the hills, not pretty. And it's always a bit awkward when the seller leaves too many personal belongings and items behind.

Last minute surprises are never good for anyone involved and I have had more than my share of them this week. Everything from last minute chimney extensions, to issues with property migration on vacant land taking WEEKS to complete, even losing my voice so that even a simple phone call was a disaster! About that... I lost my voice over the weekend, making me sound a bit hysterical at best. I was over 2 hours away from the main office and had to call in a favour to get some paperwork pushed through right away. I want to be fair here and say that the situation was a bit sketchy and I was feeling mildly uncomfortable, that combined with my unintentional voice-over for some rural low budget horror film, made my most excellent administrator feel as though I was in real danger. After I hung up, I proceeded back into the fully insulated steel building where my phone wasn't picking up any of the frantic calls from my husband, Broker, Sister-In-Law and various other genuinely concerned parties who were wondering if the local authorities should be dispatched in Colchester County. My sincere apologies to the people back in the Valley that I left in the lurch, it was never my intention to spread the panic as I did!

Let's touch briefly on taxes! Don't we all lament the HST that is added to most of our purchases?! We all complain, but it is a fact of life here for a great deal of items we purchase. But there are some purchases where HST is a grey area. There are some 'easy' rules on when and why HST applies to when dealing in Real Estate, but there are some surprises too. Surprises that nobody wants to hear about on the morning of closing. Through no fault of ours, the closing had to be extended and that's never a welcome last minute change.

The Real Estate Market tends to follow a pretty regular pattern of feast and famine, with swells and troughs a common occurrence. The key is to regulate these ups & downs so that you are not swept away in the currents. This can be difficult at times, especially when you are caught up in the manic part of the cycle. A few weeks later you can find yourself without much to do but listen to the crickets chirp. In a way, the constant change is exciting and if this is a career you choose to stick with, it becomes somewhat of a lifestyle. If nothing else, it makes for excellent blog inspiration and entertainment.  

Real Estate Fails

In keeping with my most popular Blog posts which feature my dry and maybe a teeny-weenie bit sarcastic sense of humour, I have come up with a bit of a guideline for any newbie or potential REALTORS® on the block. This industry has a pretty high attrition rate in the first few years from the time someone takes the course to passing the exam and eventually to getting fully licenced and starting to practice. The post below is a bit of a "What Not To Do" in this highly competitive industry. If you are looking for further guidance, give me a shout... I am happy to show you the ropes and get you on the best possible start!

The first rule of real estate - Do not constantly talk about real estate! People will get entirely sick of hearing about your open houses and great deals at social gatherings and non real estate related functions. Don't be THAT guy!

Take good pictures please - try to avoid getting your own image in the photo when there are mirrors, put the toilet seat down, do not include pictures of pets and sellers, be sure the pictures are in focus so that we can see what you are trying to show. Do not take drive-by pictures from inside your car.

Do not misuse "quotation marks" in a listing description unless you want to "scare people away" or "make them question" what you are talking about. Furthermore use proper grammar, punctuation and for the love of Pete, proof read and use spell check!!

Please do your research and know your stuff when selling a specific or unique property. If I call to ask the sizes of the box stalls in the commercial horse boarding barn you have listed, please do not respond with a meek "standard size?" Or when I ask what the fencing materials are, don't ask me for a multiple choice list of possible answers to choose from.
I know my stuff, you should too.

If you are going to wrap your car in advertising be sure to drive like a sane, reasonable member of society, not like a complete maniac/character in the video game Grand Theft Auto.
Your road rage face - it aint pretty.

Keep up with the times! We operate in a fast paced industry where time is of the essence. There is a vast amount of technology available to us all. Did you know that the technology in your smart phone far exceeds the technology that sent every Apollo mission to the moon and back?! Pay a teenager to teach you how to use this to your advantage, carrier pigeons are not the preferred method of information delivery.

Be professional, be yourself, be memorable.
Be part of a brokerage that encourages you and surround yourself with positive energy.
If you are thinking of a career in Real Estate, I want to help you!
Let's chat!

Is Sustainable Attainable?

There has been a great deal of talk lately about sustainable living and energy efficiency. Whether you are considering a new build or looking to retrofit an existing home, there are many options and even more opinions. What is important to know is that many measures can be taken at every level to make our homes more "green".

Let's talk about COST.
~Start up cost - most consumers complain that photovoltaic (solar energy) systems are too cumbersome and expensive with a 15-20 year payback (but consider what your current payback is as a comparison?!)
~Cost of NOT converting - with a photovoltaic system, you can lock in to todays power rate and it will never increase.
~Environmental Cost - Most electricity in Nova Scotia comes from burning coal! Our mainstream electricity isn't very clean.
~Studies have shown that a homes value is increased by $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills through energy efficiency and supplemental electricity producing systems.

Technology is getting closer to making our dreams of sustainable living more attainable, and there are lots of things we can do to get closer to that goal! There are many ways of making a home more energy efficient such as replacing windows, insulation upgrades, digital thermostats, changing lightbulbs, replacing toilets and faucets and upgrading heating systems. (Did you know that burning wood as a heat source has net zero Greenhouse Gas emissions?!)

There are certainly larger scale upgrades that can be done to decrease or even eliminate your dependency on inefficient practices. Green design plans for homes can make a real difference in heating and cooling simply by taking advantage of the angle at which the sun hits the earth in our region. Lots of older homes have sharply pitched roof angles that lend well to solar panels of all sorts (I currently have a solar domestic hot water system on my century home). Rainwater catchment systems are low tech DIY and can save many gallons of water from being used for gardens and car washing.

It can seem overwhelming to negotiate these extra factors, numbers and stats surrounding these ideas can be mind boggling. I know the local experts in these fields, helpful websites and service providers. I am happy point you in the right direction and to chat more about your specific goals for a more sustainable home! I have sold 100% off grid homes and I currently use some of the options available and know how they work first hand, a trusted up to date professional can make all the difference in the world!
Let's Chat!