Monday, January 19, 2009

The Facebook Effect

It seems just a short time ago that our parents put our social security number all over our possessions for safety in case of theft. Can you believe that? Now, with the internet being as accessible as a home phone (remember those?), life has changed. I am continuously intrigued with the networking sites. My site of choice is Facebook. It is mind-boggling who reaches out for a reconnection via the web. Some make me feel a bit peculiar, some very happy, and others…well....

It’s also curious to challenge who will accept a friend request. Did I mention my sudden closeness with Brian Boitano? But I digress.

Today I received an email from a family friend who I have not seen or spoken to in twenty seven years. I was nine the last time I saw her. A quick email, picture, and voila...back in touch. I think the last time I saw her, my older brother Gary thought it would be a fun idea to streak by the campfire while she was cooking s’mores, still my favorite dessert. She was roughly seventeen and Gary the same. The site of my older brother naked, except for a pair of Converse All Stars, running through the desert is still ingrained in my brain. She included the above picture of me sitting in the back of our family dune buggy in Anza Borrego ( http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638 ), averting spinal disaster by a mere few feet. And to think my kids are locked into their five point harness while heading three blocks to our local Ralph’s. Definitely a different time.

To Real Estate:

Yesterday I held 881 Matilija Road open from 1pm-4pm. This was virtually the same time as the Philadelphia vs. Arizona game, so I thought that we would get four or five groups through. We had over 110 people through the home in those three hours. It felt like 2005-2006 all over again. Please visit Clarkliving.com or StephenPlacial.com to see pictures of the house. Additionally, a home in Silver Lake went into multiples and was bid up over $100,000 last week. With change in the air, Obama taking office tomorrow (seeya W.) http://www.redbubble.com/people/melinda/t-shirts/2271571-2-bye-bye-george-bush, and some old friends reconnecting, 2009 is shaping up to be a great year.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Twinkie, Bok Choy or fantastic 3/3 with views


What is it about a piece of asparagus that is inherently unappealing to a child?

I, for one, like asparagus. But as a little guy I detested them. That goes for any vegetable in the squash family as well as Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea), tomatoes, and, of course, the king of soggy…spinach. On the other hand, any kid will look at a cupcake and just know that it’ll be delicious and as close to the opposite of a rutabaga as that little brain can conjure.

I watch my two year old vehemently turn down healthy food on a day to day basis just to reach out for anything in our house that’s junk. And don’t get me wrong; being the great parents that we are, we get the “organic” pop tarts from Trader Joe's. Is it as simple as insisting that your child eat a Twinkie, forbidding bok choy?
Over to real estate:

Today I submitted an offer on behalf of my clients on a beautiful home that would suit their family, educational, and spatial needs. The home has been on the market for six days and has four offers. I wrote an offer last week for a different client which had three offers. What’s going on?
According to the Today Show this morning I should pack it up as a realtor and go interview to be a barista at the local coffee house. Is it LA? Today’s forecast is 80 degrees, clear, and 14% humidity. Is it the interest rate? Today it’s 4.75% on a 15 year fixed. It’s all a bit confusing to me.

All I know is that I am looking out my office window at a beautiful view of downtown LA and looking forward to having the sunroof down on my way to lunch with Ceinwyn. No disrespect to Matt, Meredith, Al and Anne, but the coffee I’m making will be for me and real estate is where I’m staying.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Welcome to 2009.

With the new year comes all of the real estate craziness. The interest rates are at a historic low and buyers have come out with a vengeance. A home in NW Glendale just went on the market and currently has eleven offers. There is a buzz happening. If you’re sitting on the fence, I strongly encourage you to think about making your move (pun intended).

On another note:blogging - To write entries in, add material to, or maintain a weblog.

Just a few months ago I really didn’t know what blogging was. It sounds funny too. A little like flogging: verb (used with object), flogged, flogging. To beat with a whip, stick, etc., esp. as punishment; whip; scourge. Or clogging: to hinder or obstruct with thick or sticky matter; choke up: to clog a drain. That’s pretty nasty. Hogging: to appropriate selfishly; take more than one's share of. Dogging: to follow or track like a dog, esp. with hostile intent; hound.

I think this is the most accurate: blogging: to masquerade one’s inconceivable narcissism with clever yet random tidbits of information to better enhance one’s business, personal life, and, in most cases, self esteem via the internet.

What do you think?