Kindred Spirits In More Ways Than One
The single digit temps we had this morning was enough to make just about anyone want to stay home and snuggle up with a woolen wrap and a good book, but unfortunately I couldn't have the pleasure, but maybe someday.
I had a number of errands to run this morning, which included placing a sold sign on one of my listings, checking on several vacant houses, and then shoveling the snow off a driveway, just so it wouldn't end up turning into a sheet of ice. While I was out, one of my old clients called and asked me to stop over to his shop and have a look at some cabinetry he's building, so I made a u-turn and headed over.
When I got there, I was shown the many cabinets he had under construction, which were being built in a more old-fashioned way by using real lumber instead of the particle board and plywood components we find in almost all the cabinets we see in places like Home Depot and Menard's. What I marveled at the most, was his attention to detail which most people don't even notice, so thus far, I gave him an A+ for the work he's done. I'm sure his wife will be tickled pink when they're finished and fully-installed. Yes, there still are people out there who believe in using quality materials combined with fine workmanship.
Having been outdoors in that cold for a period of time, I decided to grab a cup of hot coffee at a convenience store before heading back to office, and while it was being created by one of their new coffee machines, one of my old customers came up and started visiting with me about how crazy he thinks people are getting with the prices they're paying for homes here in North Iowa. Trying not to sound negative, all I could say was, "I've lived and worked thru two major market contractions, and I'll likely be seeing another in the near future." Of course he had to add his two cents worth regarding several dilapidated homes in his neighborhood which were bought by investors and latter 'flipped' for big bucks. I then went on to tell him there've been more lipsticked pigs going under contract after the pandemic arrived, than I've seen in all the years I've been selling homes. In spite of not having anything to do with those sales, I still have empathy for the buyers who were duped into purchasing them.
Part of my afternoon was spent getting myself semi-prepared for the long struggle I'll have in getting my income tax information for this year sorted out and then making journal entries for my income tax preparer. Since my regular tax professional notified me earlier this year that he's retiring, I did manage to meet with a gentleman whom I believe will be a good fit for me, and for a fair price as well. Thank goodness I was finally steered in the right direction by someone who's got an 'in' on the quality and prices of our area tax preparers.
Having some free time this afternoon, I purposely went out and drove past an address I was given, and because I was noticing some not so normal things on the outside, I turned around and drove past all the more slowly, and then down the rear alley where I got a really good look its back yard. Oh my goodness! I'm surprised the neighbors hadn't complained to our city about all that stuff. There's no question I got a real good first impression of the person living there. Thank goodness for rear alleyways!
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I had two afternoon appointments, and the first one being a young man who's thinking about getting into real estate, so about all I could do was encourage him to do as much research before making his decision, along with strongly recommending he not quit his current job until he's created a strong following.
Of course one question he posed, was what exactly gave me to incentive to get into real estate in the first place, so after taking a deep breath, I started from the very beginning, and after I finished, I'm sure he wasn't expecting to hear how it all just happened without me ever believing in a thousand years that I'd end up being a full-time and long-term Realtor. Yes, there's no question, the hand of fate definitely had something to do with it, because I believed my career would always be in the banking sector. So much for that blind assumption. At least I got all his questions answered, so it'll be up to him as to what direction he'll be going.
My last appointment of the day, was a second showing of a home, and this time there were family members along, and from the comments I was getting, there was a clear sign of interest, and by the time we were ready to leave, we scheduled a meeting at my office for shortly after the hour of Noon this Thursday. I can already 'see' him living in the home, so we'll see how it all shakes out. He sure is one of the nicest young men a person would ever want to meet.
There wasn't much else worth talking about tonight other than a very good conversation this morning with my dear friend, and since we've shared much over the years, we've grown all the more free with offering up information which most aren't privy to. After today's info-sharing session, I'm all the more convinced we're kindred spirits in more ways than one. The next time I talk to her, I'll have to remember to tell her my long-ago story about 'sticky buns' which she'll definitely get a good laugh over. Wicked me.
Tonight's One-liner is: In law, a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others, whereas in ethics, he's guilty if he only thinks of doing so.