I got news this morning that a dear friend I hadn't seen in a long time has passed away. She was one of those unforgettable people you meet that had a heart of gold, she was extremely giving with her time, her advice and her belongings. She was someone that believed in me, defended me and was instrumental in my successes as an Equestrian. I was a teenager when I moved to Colorado all alone to train full time. I didn't know a single soul and had made a huge leap of faith in packing everything I could carry on my own to move to a foreign country by myself. Kathryn was one of the first people I met and we immediately hit it off. She was unbelieveably kind and infectiously happy. I often confided in her with my personal thoughts and struggles, and she always had a soft and caring way to ease my mind whenever I needed her.
Kathryn generously offered me the ride on her horse "Mason" aka "RK's Highland Fling" so that I could compete while I was there. Nevermind that she had only just purchased him for herself, nevermind that he would be competing for Canada while I was on board, and nevermind that I was not yet a seasoned professional. Mason and I bumbled through our first few competitions with some spectacular crashes and falls but Kathryn never lost faith and was always right there to dust us off and put the pieces back together.
As we formed a better partnership, Mason and I went on to place 2nd at our very first International competition (1 point out of first place), we were tied for 1st place with Australian Gold medalist at our 2nd International Championship, 6th place individually at the North American Young Riders Championships, and I was named the Canadian Equestrian of the Year at 21 years old thanks to that horse and Kathryns generosity. I owe a great deal to her believing in me and maintaining unwaivering faith in my abilities.
So here's to you Dr Kathryn Hobbs, you have had an immesureable impact on me and I will never forget your laughter, squeals and shrieks of delight from the sidelines while I rode. Your kindness will be with me always. Say hello to Mason for me!
This Blog post is coming at you straight from Nassau Bahamas. Yes I am in Paradise (that's actually the name of the place I am staying!!) and I am in my room writing a blog!! Why? Because last night was the closing ceremonies of the Exit Realty 20th Anniversary Convention & Awards, and I am so inspired by the experience I have had here!
WOW! This week has been amazing and I have gained so much from being surrounded by the top producers in my industry! When I used be a professional equestrian, my coach David O'Connor used to always say that the best way to become a champion, is to surround yourself with champions. There's no glory in being a big fish in a small pond. One of the best things about Exit is that a new agent can walk up to a seasoned pro and ask questions anytime.
"If you are at the bottom reach up, if you are at the top reach down." That's an excellent philosophy.
We are all unique individuals and we should strive to use our differences to better ourselves in the way that best suits our personalities, strengths & weaknesses. Every time I met another agent, bar none, I felt like we were part of an extended family and I felt a mutual respect and camaraderie instantly. We were told many times to foster our differences and embrace them smiling. What makes us different, makes us good. It never mattered what pond we were from.
The biggest fish in North America were honored this week, and I am more than proud to say that I walked across the huge stage and got a hug, a handshake and an award from the founder of Exit himself. It was quite exciting to be recognized for my efforts. Seeing the size of the pond that Exit has created was eye opening and has inspired me to keep swimming upstream to get to the bigger ponds, with the bigger fish. I am not here to be mediocre.
A big shout out goes to my broker Val, her husband Kim and all the gang of colleagues and their spouse from Nova Scotia that traveled here. Also a high five to the new friends I have met while here!
Dallas TX 2017 - Here we come!!
As a professional in any industry there are inevitably those phrases and questions that come up from the general public/people not in your profession. Here are a few of my favourite ones that I have heard over the years!
1) "It must be great working whenever you want to!"
While this is indeed true, that I CAN work whenever I want to, real estate as a career attracts the type of people that don't have the 'clock in/clock out' mentality about working. There are times I work all day long for days, and there are times that I have more free time than I want!
2) "I love those HGTV shows, I know all about the real estate world!"
Those shows are fun to watch (I watch them too!) but they are a dramatization of real life, I doubt that anyone would tune in for a show featuring me combing through listings on my laptop, or trimming excess tree branches at an open house. There are un-glamorous times too. It's not all stilettos and lunch meetings.
3) "I'd like you to show me these houses tonight, I'm not interested in buying, I just want to know what they look like inside"
Woah, woah, woah... That's completely unfair to the seller (who thinks a qualified buyer is coming to look and invests in getting their house ready). It's also unfair to me, I only get paid when a sale is completed so my time needs to be spent working towards sales!
4) "Is that the sellers in these photos on the wall?"
Why does it matter? The people don't come with the house. Actually the seller are hideous monsters and they picked up a couple frames at WalMart & left the pictures of the models in them just for show!
5) Why are they selling?
Interesting question, as a listing agent the sellers motivation may not be the best thing to divulge to a potential buyer. Maybe the sellers have already bought another home and it closes in a month, telling a buyer this may give them an advantage in negotiations. Maybe the sellers are going through a breakup and want to cut ties ASAP... In any case it can be a touchy subject and is it really going to be the tipping point between you offering on the property or not as a buyer?
Having been in the profession for a few years now I have heard some very offhanded comments and odd questions, that being said I always encourage my clients to ask any questions that they ever think of freely! These are simply a few that tend to come up more often, next blog will be stupid things REALTORS® say to people ;)
To Whom it May Concern,
I am writing in regards to
the clear cutting and devastation of forests going on throughout the
province of Nova Scotia. This practice has not followed the mandates set
out for the province in 2011, and it is not going to be tolerated.
I
have seen first hand how the clear cutting of Nova Scotian forests has
affected the wildlife and ecosystems in this province, and it is haunting. I am a REALTOR® and I travel extensively throughout rural
areas of the province. I am completely appalled at the
devastation of this provinces natural resources, furthermore at the lack
of regard for this provinces inhabitants both human and animal. The
trickle down effect of this is profound.
I am writing this
letter to voice my total abhorrence of this practice and the practices
that are set to ruin the beauty and majesty of this area. In this day
and age there is absolutely no excuse or reasoning to justify the
complete disregard of the best interests of this province and it's
future. How dare you turn a blind eye, or worse, knowingly allow such a
short sighted and environmentally dangerous thing to happen? This
destruction must cease!
As a Nova Scotian, a young professional, a Canadian and a human being I demand that this be stopped immediately.
Sincerely and adamantly,
Megan White
Berwick NS
* If you would like to send a similar letter please do, the following email addresses will be of use.
premier@gov.ns.ca
minister.environment@novascotia.ca
mindnr@novascotia.ca
