What A Lovely Day

Favorite House of the Day 

It's days like today that make me love real estate. It's not about getting excited about commissions (that's like a watched pot/counting chickens scenario all in one. It's never going to happen if you just stare at it, and counting chickens before they hatch is always a terrible idea) but there are other ways that it is just fun. I did six (SIX!!) showings before noon allll over Anne Arundel, and it helped me learn my way around a lot, as well as gave me the opportunity to finally see houses I'd been really intrigued by. My client is super sweet, and I think I'm definitely starting to get a feel for what she wants, and we really liked 4 out of 6. Also, I didn't get lost once! That is not a small win for me, it's pretty major actually, even with google maps, and somehow didn't even totally screw up my timing. So I have no idea where this will go buying-wise right now, but I got a lot of good experience showing houses, and got some practice on my serious lack of directional skills, and also how to show houses. It was a much needed morale booster, whatever the outcome. There are only so many frustrating days in your career that you can take before you're just totally strung out. 

Real Estate Essentials

Sloane Ranger Soft Tablet Cover - Rugby iPad Case (only in womens now...) - Shearling Gloves from an old leather store downtown - Sick Shades - Pencil Case - Sentrilock with Pepper Spray (Just in case) and Nola Couture Fob - Business Cards! - Smathers Crab Flask  (Kidding! Not for work, but for the Skins game later)

I keep a jade Chinese good luck charm on my cowboy hat  (TEXAS!) next to the bedroom door now; maybe it'll do/is doing something...?

The Lucky Hat

Listening to: People Say - Portugal. The Man

    

G.I.

Went along to showings on Gibson Island today, and saw this incredibly nifty cottage. There was even a white picket fence, replete with gate. My kryptonite. It was so perfect; the white-painted floors totally made me want to try them sometime somewhere, but the only thing is that they're so simple that actually everything pops, whether you want it to or not. Clutter is not an option, so if you're feeling motivated to simplify, I would say try painting your floors white. I don't think many people would be able to live with the resulting chaos just from having a normal amount of things in a house. Either way, it was gorgeous and completely worked, and G.I. is such a wonderful, cookie-cutter resort island, its hard (at least for a die-hard Nancy Drew fan) not to love. As you drive around it, all the different areas feel like time capsules into different parts of suburban American history; from the thirties to the eighties. I can completely imagine Nancy frolicking at a social at the club with Bess and George, and maybe Ned Nickerson on a night off from mystery. As usual, please excuse the low-quality iPhone pics.

Requisite Adirondack chair lineup shot

Same room, sweet telescope

I'm pretty sure everyone here is in the same racquet 

Love the painted black steps with the white floors

Finally, Varas in action at Christmas

Wisdom

"What is it you really want then?" "Real estate."

Fitting In

Young Urban Professional vs. Ideal Business Card Picture

Oh boy. Sometimes being a realtor feels like you have to totally stifle all innate personal style in order to succeed. Here in DTA at least, it's edgy when I wear my Ferragamo Varas with J Crew Toothpicks. Frankly, it's kindof scandalous sometimes compared to the circa '83 pantsuits that are somehow still bopping their way around from showing to showing. I love my picture and it definitely looks like me, but it is also intended to help me sell houses. Apparently my whole face looks a little stiff and contrived, and the smile a little forced compared to how I usually am. Also, my grandmothers necklace only comes out on very special occasions. Here is a girl in Chicago who is somehow bridging the gap between personal style and maintaining a professional front, and making it work. She takes it way farther than I would (white Doc Martens... no), but she gives me a little hope that one day I may be able to toss the dress slacks in favor of something a little more flavorful. I'm not exactly a liberal dresser, but should a maroon lip totally kill the deal?

Scandal - But I love it

Some Realtors

Some Realtors

Steve Martin providing the daily lol

Busy Busy

The Ball and Chain

Spoke too soon... still (have I just had the flu and not even known it?!) sick, and suddenly over my head busy with real estate, which makes me happy. The Moleskine is suddenly filling up rapidly, and I really hope this pans out! Am desperately trying to rent this townhouse to get it off the market to keep house prices in a certain neighborhood up, but I'm starting to really like it. It's not downtown, but it does have a dock and a sauna!