Archive for the 'Interesting Tidbits' Category
Memorial Day
May 28th, 2010 categories: Interesting Tidbits
Leadership Requires Sacrifice
By Gino Blefari
President & CEO
Intero Real Estate Services, Inc.
Next Monday is Memorial Day. Most of us will celebrate at backyard barbeques, in the company of friends and family, enjoying the fruits of our hard work.
But what are we celebrating?
We are celebrating – indeed, we are honoring – the courage of those who do what must be done, who bear the load for others so that they may be free to live their lives.
On Memorial Day we bear witness to the leadership demonstrated by the members of the armed forces – those who sacrifice so we don’t have to.
General Norman Schwarzkopf, who led America’s combat forces to victory in the first Gulf War, understands this sacrifice that comes with leadership.
In a speech about leadership to several hundred real estate executives assembled for a conference he posed the question, “Why do the troops go? Why do their families let them go?
His answer: They go because their country asks them to.
Schwarzkopf continued, “As I speak to you right now, somewhere in this great nation, servicemen and women are saying goodbye to their families as they go off to war. I know what it’s like. Think of the anxiety of a family that is saying goodbye to a loved one with absolutely no idea when they will see them again or worse yet if they will ever see them again alive.”
The general defines leadership as the ability to inspire people to willingly do that which they wouldn’t ordinarily do. He distinguishes managers from leaders: whereas managers oversee processes, systems or equipment, leaders lead people who have their own dreams and ambitions.
Sounding like a preacher delivering a Sunday morning sermon, Schwarzkopf emphatically stated: “Leadership involves a sense of duty. Leadership involves a value system. Leadership involves ethics. Leadership certainly involves integrity.”
So, as you enjoy our American freedoms this Memorial Day, join me in reflecting on the model of sacrifice and leadership embodied in the men and women of our Armed Forces.
Think, too, how you might apply that model to inspire others around you to higher ideals – those places they might not otherwise go.
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President Obama’s visit to Asheville
May 5th, 2010 categories: Interesting Tidbits, Real Estate News
Asheville was abuzz recently when President Obama spent 3 days here on a mini vacation. The President stayed at the Grove Park Inn and took advantage of playing on the beautiful golf course that my husband Gary works at. Gary was ready for any presidential encounter he may have the good fortune to have, with Flip camcorder and digital camera in had. But alas, the closest he got was by positioning himself on Charlotte street with other hopefuls. He was able to take a few photo’s, this one among them & a short video of President Obama about 10 feet away, but didn’t get the elusive handshake or autograph.
So who lucked out? Big time? It was Beverly-Hanks Mortgage Specialist Cameron Lewis and his son. Can you imagine how surreal it would be to walk into a workout room and seeing the President on a treadmill? Lucky guys Cameron and his 6 year old son Cameron where one of the very few allowed in the gym while the President was doing his daily workout. Instructed by the Secret Service not to approach the President, Cameron complied and kept to himself on the treadmill until he heard a very familiar voice in back of him saying “Do we have two Duke fans here?” Cameron and little Cameron wore their Duke t-shirts as usual, but didn’t know it would lead to a conversation of a lifetime! Cameron and the President had a casual 20 minute conversation that was a mix of sports, real estate and the mortgage industry. How thrilling!
Congratulations Cameron on a once-in-a-lifteme experience. You may have heard Cameron’s name before in some of my past posts, he contributes information regarding up-to-date mortgage information. He also happens to be my favorite mortgage specialist, this man is sharp, knows his craft and is a dream when following up with my clients. Need a good mortgage professional? Call Cameron Lewis 828-258-1945.
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Asheville North Carolina Snowstorm – Fun!
December 20th, 2009 categories: Interesting Tidbits, Real Estate News
Me & Summer on the way to play in the snow with "Cooper"
Yep, we got it good! I estimate we’ve gotten 18 inches of snow in Weaverville and Asheville since yesterday. It just isn’t stopping, but it’s sooooo beautiful. This is a rarity here, usually we get 1-3 inches during a snowfall and it’s gone in two days time. Prior to this snow, it was 1993 that produced this kind of snow and before that 1971. So I say, let’s enjoy it while it’s here!! Here I am standing in front of our house with “Summer” on the way to go play with little “Cooper”. Plowing? What’s that?
This is “Cooper” our neighbors new puppy.
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I-40 Rockslide update
December 9th, 2009 categories: Interesting Tidbits
Boy-o-boy! What a mess this rockslide has been. The detour is 53 miles long and this just isn’t something you want as a surprise on your next visit coming from the west to the Asheville area. Click the link for the December 9th update on the I-40 rockslide.
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HGTV called- A Realtor’s Dream
September 30th, 2009 categories: Interesting Tidbits
Do you have any idea how many years I’ve been watching HGTV? I’ve watched it all: Divine Design (my favorite), House Hunters, My First Place, Designed to Sell, House Hunters International, Property Virgins, Renovation Realities and whatever subject matter they put on that channel, I watch it! Not only am I always fascinated that I end up learning something, it has become one of my preferred stress relievers.
Everytime I watch Divine Design and they’re surprising someone, I secretly wish my husband would apply to Divine Design for me, I can envision Candice Olson showing up at my front door with her big smile, arms outstreatched with a big “Surprise”. Sure, I’m like everyone else, I’ve got a basement that needs a makeover, and a living room too! But it wouldn’t be the same if I verbalized this deep desire to hubby, I want him to figure it out!
Ok, so the other week I was visiting one of my favorite new construction communities, Creekside Village, and I got a call on my cell phone. At first I thought it was a marketing call, when I barely caught the letters HGTV mentioned. “Did you say HGTV?” I said to my caller, “Yes, we are starting a new series called “Uprooted” and wanted to see if you would be interested in participating?” It was almost as if someone just told me I had won the lottery. I looked over to my fellow Realtor Cindy and mouthed “HGTV”, her mouth dropped open, mine was already dropped! Yes, yes I’m interested, are you kidding I’m an HGTV junkie. I actually said this to him. He laughed a little, he probably gets this reaction all the time. He explained the criteria of the type of client they want me to have, I told him I thought I had just the right client and would be back in touch.
I was beside myself in utter joy! I didn’t come down from that high for about a week. I contacted my client and she too was tickled pink. I came to find out that she’s a actress and this would be right up her alley. HGTV actually has the participants fill out an application, and they audition them! No deadheads for HGTV!
My client was auditioned and passed! So, we are now waiting to see when the show will be using us. How did they find me? My blogsite, so I guess it pays to blog! Has anyone out there reading this ever have the opportunity to be on HGTV? Candice, Design Angel of all designers, I hope you’re reading this . . . !
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Do you know about these numbers?
September 15th, 2009 categories: Interesting Tidbits
Before March to July of this year, did you know that it has been 6 years since the national housing market experienced five consecutive monthly gains in pending home sales?
The median sized new single-family home sold in the United States over the past two decades has had a 42% increase in square footage.
50% of new homes sold in the first six months of 2009 cost less than $200,000.
100 in billions, the dollar amount of stimulus money that has filtered into the economy so far, with $787 billion left to be spent next year.
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What’s the humidity like in Asheville?
August 14th, 2009 categories: Interesting Tidbits
The other day I received an email from a woman who is considering moving here to the Asheville area and had some questions about the weather here. So, while blow drying my hair this morning, I just knew there were plenty of women who would appreciate this input, it may not matter to a man, but it sure matter’s to us!
She is moving from New Mexico, which is very warm & low humidity and was told Asheville winters were like Chicago winters! Bitingly cold, the kind of cold that gets in your bones. Naturally, this is the middle south and no way could our winters be like Chicago. How could anyone start the rumor that North Carolina was on par with Chicago winters, it boggled my mind? I definitely would not have moved here! I explained that it can get cold here, but in general it’s a very mild winter with no more than a half dozen snow days, and most of those melt the next day.
Her next question was about the humidity. The best way I could explain our humidity levels was to bring my hair into play. I explained that although my hair is naturally curly, I prefer to wear it straight. During the years I lived in Florida, a good hair day only happened in dead of winter. Here, I can manage a good hair day just about all year long. I received an email response from her that she now understood what humidity level she would encounter here, the hair was a good barometer to go by! So there you go ladies, living in the Blue Ridge Mountains – Wonderful! Having a good hair day – Priceless!
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Can Chocolate enhance your Open House?
July 30th, 2009 categories: Interesting Tidbits, Real Estate News
Recently I did an Open House for a beautiful 1930’s era Colonial in the North End of Asheville in the Grove Park area.
The home was vacant except for a couple pieces of furniture in the living room and the air conditioning was off – in July! At that moment, when I realized I would be sweltering in my lined suit for the next two hours, I was admittedly cranky and not happy to be there. My thoughts kept going back to why hadn’t the Listing Agent given me a hint? But, the show must go on.
Since this was my first look at this home, I began my vigil of checking out all the rooms and familiarizing myself with all the details. Everything was very clean, painted and spiffy, it reminded me of my grandmothers home. All the bedrooms were upstairs and living area on the first. OK, it’s a nice house and I had resigned myself to the fact that the sweat was going to ruin my good hair day, you see, I have naturally wavy hair and I prefer to wear it on the straight side, the smallest amount of humidity and the wave would spring into action, my good hair day was soon to be over. But that’s a girl thing . . .
So, in the face of adversity, at least that’s how I saw it, I walked into the kitchen and my day suddenly changed! There on the counter was a very large plate of fresh chocolate chip cookies! The Toll House kind! And wait, there was also a dish of Hersheys chocolate mini bars. Had these owners called my husband and asked him what they could do to make me happy for my two hour presentation of their house?
People, not only did this chocolate transform my attitude, but every person that walked in that door thought I was their personal friend who had baked these confections just for their arrival. They were friendly, open to conversation about the house, and simply stayed longer and saw more of the house. They eagerly signed in to my Register and were open to my explanations of the potential this home possessed. If a potential home buyer stays longer to consider that home just long enough to see themselves living there, THAT’S the difference chocolate can make!
So, the next time your agent does an open house for you, remember chocolate equals happiness on several levels, including selling your home!
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Asheville High makes Newsweek list of top schools
June 10th, 2009 categories: Interesting Tidbits
Two Buncombe County schools made Newsweek’s list of the nation’s top 1,500 high schools.
Asheville High came in at No. 773 and Roberson High ranked 1,134. The magazine compiled its rankings by using the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Cambridge tests taken by all students at the school in 2008 divided by the number of graduating seniors.
No other Western North Carolina schools made the list, which included 50 high schools statewide. Asheville High earned a spot on the list in 2008, 2006 and 2005. Roberson has been on the list for the past two years.
Asheville Citizen-Times, June 10, 2009
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Why you’ll like Asheville if you’re a vegetarian.
May 19th, 2009 categories: Interesting Tidbits
Did you know that Asheville leads the nation as a vegetarian city? Asheville was named the No. 1 Best Vegetarian-friendly Small City in the United States by GoVeg.com a few years ago, based on its abundance of meat-free restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries and markets. Asheville is known as a health center, there are a lot of people concerned about the environment, a big arts community, and Asheville’s reputation as a vegetarian haven is the city’s restaurant scene.
Downtown Asheville has two vegetarian restaurants of note, Rosetta’s Kitchen . Rosetta Star, who opened Rosetta’s Kitchen in 2002, said it makes sense that Asheville is known as a vegetarian-friendly town. “One of the things that makes Asheville what it is, is sort of that questioning of the norm,” she said. “Asheville questions norms all over the place as a community, so it makes sense that food is one place that people would do that.” Opening in the basement of the YMCA in 1991, the Laughing Seed Cafe owner Joe Eckert says many of the restaurant’s patrons are not necessarily vegetarians but are interested in eating healthier as well as local and organic.
For the full story from the Asheville Citizen-Times, click here.
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