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Perseverance
2007-09-25 23:05:00
Sometimes I find myself tuned out to all else around me and just thinking. The thought of perseverance has been on my mind lately more than anything else. I suppose this comes from seeing other agents leave this business or becoming frustrated at the situation they find themselves in. In complete contrast, I read an article in Real Estate Executive this morning that profiled an agent who has overcome unbelievable obstacles to become a successful agent today. In this business, at least at the point that I am at right now, foresight and a determination to persevere until our vision comes to fruition is so very important. All of this makes me think - the decisions we make right now, although seemingly insignificant, will determine the direction our careers take. I am tempted at times to believe that the big life-changing decisions are still around the corner, but that is not true. My tendency to procrastination will not dictate to them. They are here now. My decision to blog, to...
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Perseverance
2007-09-25 23:05:00
Sometimes I find myself tuned out to all else around me and just thinking. The thought of perseverance has been on my mind lately more than anything else. I suppose this comes from seeing other agents leave this business or becoming frustrated at the situation they find themselves in. In complete contrast, I read an article in Real Estate Executive this morning that profiled an agent who has overcome unbelievable obstacles to become a successful agent today. In this business, at least at the point that I am at right now, foresight and a determination to persevere until our vision comes to fruition is so very important. All of this makes me think - the decisions we make right now, although seemingly insignificant, will determine the direction our careers take. I am tempted at times to believe that the big life-changing decisions are still around the corner, but that is not true. My tendency to procrastination will not dictate to them. They are here now. My decision to blog, to...
More About: Perseverance

Testing mobile blogger
2007-09-25 21:26:00
Nathan BlairRE/MAX Results10577 S. Redwood RoadSouth Jordan, UT 84095Direct: (801) 455-0843Fax: (801) 676-3031nathanblair@remax.netwww.nateblai r.comSee what I have to say about Utah real estate and other interesting things on my blog at www.nateburrblair.blogspot.com
More About: Mobile , Blogger , Testing

Testing mobile blogger
2007-09-25 21:26:00
Nathan BlairRE/MAX Results10577 S. Redwood RoadSouth Jordan, UT 84095Direct: (801) 455-0843Fax: (801) 676-3031nathanblair@remax.netwww.nateblai r.comSee what I have to say about Utah real estate and other interesting things on my blog at www.nateburrblair.blogspot.com
More About: Mobile , Blogger , Testing

Have you viewed your geotechnical report?
2007-09-25 21:19:00
In a real estate transaction, you just never know what you might need to dig up. In working with a buyer client of mine recently, we came upon an issue with the land behind the town home they were going to purchase. The home was being built on a slope and certain conditions made us uneasy about the foundational stability of this lot. If you find yourself in this situation, there is somewhere you can go you find more detailed information on the construction site. Geotechnical reports are used before a builder will begin the construction process to inform him of the conditions of the land. If I'm not mistaken, a builder wouldn't be able to build in the first place if the geotech report indicated the land was unfit. You can contact the city or the builder to view this report. If you're in a transaction where you need affirmation that you are going to live on a site that has been reviewed, the geotech report is a good place to go.
More About: Report , Technic

Have you viewed your geotechnical report?
2007-09-25 21:19:00
In a real estate transaction, you just never know what you might need to dig up. In working with a buyer client of mine recently, we came upon an issue with the land behind the town home they were going to purchase. The home was being built on a slope and certain conditions made us uneasy about the foundational stability of this lot. If you find yourself in this situation, there is somewhere you can go you find more detailed information on the construction site. Geotechnical reports are used before a builder will begin the construction process to inform him of the conditions of the land. If I'm not mistaken, a builder wouldn't be able to build in the first place if the geotech report indicated the land was unfit. You can contact the city or the builder to view this report. If you're in a transaction where you need affirmation that you are going to live on a site that has been reviewed, the geotech report is a good place to go.
More About: Report , Technic

Thanks to those who serve
2007-09-24 23:07:00
This post really has nothing to do with real estate except for the fact that I wouldn't be able to do what I do if it weren't for people like my cousin.I know that that there are plenty of parents and siblings of soldiers out there who this hits closer to home, but I will have a cousin leaving for Iraq in a few days. I had no brothers growing up so I kind of considered my male cousins as my brothers. In that way it does hit me close to home.We had a small going away gathering for him two weeks ago and during the whole thing I felt a sense of how important of a work he is going to do. I've always felt it to a degree, but it hit harder when it's someone close to you. I can't imagine how the people must feel that lose soldiers overseas, but they also must feel some sense of the good their soldier accomplished.So this post is just to express gratitude for those who have served, those who may serve, and those who support those that do serve. Thank you and we're behind you.
More About: Hank , Serve

Thanks to those who serve
2007-09-24 23:07:00
This post really has nothing to do with real estate except for the fact that I wouldn't be able to do what I do if it weren't for people like my cousin.I know that that there are plenty of parents and siblings of soldiers out there who this hits closer to home, but I will have a cousin leaving for Iraq in a few days. I had no brothers growing up so I kind of considered my male cousins as my brothers. In that way it does hit me close to home.We had a small going away gathering for him two weeks ago and during the whole thing I felt a sense of how important of a work he is going to do. I've always felt it to a degree, but it hit harder when it's someone close to you. I can't imagine how the people must feel that lose soldiers overseas, but they also must feel some sense of the good their soldier accomplished.So this post is just to express gratitude for those who have served, those who may serve, and those who support those that do serve. Thank you and we're behind you.
More About: Hank , Serve

Fall yard maintenance tips
2007-09-24 23:04:00
I returned from a week long vacation yesterday and one of the first things I noticed was that there is much more red in the mountains than there was a week ago. This reminded me that it's approaching that time of year when we must get our yards ready for winter. I know most of us don't like to think about the prospect of snow coming soon, but here in Salt Lake I've been hearing that the mountains are going to get some in the next few weeks. I'm providing a link to a helpful sheet entitled "9 Ways To Make Your Landscape Shine" that will help with fall seasonal maintenance tips. I especially agree with tip number two, as I have witnessed the benefit that comes from fertilizing in the fall. Around here it makes such a difference come spring time. So even though cold weather is coming, yards can still look great for a while. There's no reason to let them go while we wait for snow.
More About: Tips , Maintenance , Yard , Fall , Tena

Fall yard maintenance tips
2007-09-24 23:04:00
I returned from a week long vacation yesterday and one of the first things I noticed was that there is much more red in the mountains than there was a week ago. This reminded me that it's approaching that time of year when we must get our yards ready for winter. I know most of us don't like to think about the prospect of snow coming soon, but here in Salt Lake I've been hearing that the mountains are going to get some in the next few weeks. I'm providing a link to a helpful sheet entitled "9 Ways To Make Your Landscape Shine" that will help with fall seasonal maintenance tips. I especially agree with tip number two, as I have witnessed the benefit that comes from fertilizing in the fall. Around here it makes such a difference come spring time. So even though cold weather is coming, yards can still look great for a while. There's no reason to let them go while we wait for snow.
More About: Tips , Maintenance , Yard , Fall , Tena

If you are looking for a really good kid-friendly restaurant...
2007-09-06 22:05:00
I have to admit that one of my favorite restaurants is also one of the most kid-friendly restaurants in town. I'm talking about Sweet Tomatoes. I absolutely LOVE the place, and so do lots of kids apparently.There's really nothing wrong with that, I'm just letting all you families know of a place where you can take your kids where they'll eat healthy and will be able to enjoy themselves. It has a kind of school cafeteria feel when you take your tray of food and walk back to your bench. The only difference is that now I have to watch for kids at my knees so that my food doesn't go flying everywhere as I trip and fall. After you go through the first line, where you can pile your salad as high as you want, you can stop by the soup bar. There is also some very good varieties of breads and fruits. And the best part is that when you are finished with your meal, there is soft serve ice cream in a cone or a bowl. And it's really good. There are two locations - one by South Tow...
More About: Restaurant , Friendly , Good , Ally

No, Utah prairie dogs don't really relate to real estate
2007-09-06 22:03:00
I learned something new the other day about Utah prairie dogs. Apparently a member of my extended family has encountered issues as they've tried to secure property to build a home on in Cedar City, Utah. I don't know the full story on what happened, but I gather that the land in question is a kind of prairie dog town. I wondered what the big deal was, since I don't know much about prairie dogs and assumed that they were a prosperous animal in Utah. I was wrong. I've done a little studying and found out that Utah prairie dogs are on the threatened list and have been since 1973. Where have I been? The issue in Cedar City must have been that conservationists didn't want another prairie dog haven encroached upon. I'd been taught that that wouldn't be such a bad thing, since my maternal side of the family were ranchers in their day. Well now I know. Prairie dogs do actually contribute to Utah's ecosystem and positively, at that.
More About: Dogs , Estate , Real Estate , Real

How do you give your listings the edge in this market?
2007-09-06 22:01:00
I have an answer of my own for my title question, but I would also like to find out other opinions. I know that when I market a listing, I can get it out to probably 90-95% of prospective buyers. So with the same number of potential buyers seeing my listings, what gives them the competitive edge now?I believe that (1) outstanding photos will initially grab attention. I am very visual, and I give a LOT more attention to listings that have great photos. (2) A price where the seller didn't say "I'll come down if I have to". A price that's fair and competitive. (3) Superior staging will keep someone inside a home. How many times have you seen a very nice open area in a house that COULD be made nice, but your buyers can't visualize what they would do with it? There are spaces that could be used for a number of things, but when you put a table there, for example, they say "Oh I love this spot for a breakfast nook" or something like that. Those ideas aren't anything revolution...
More About: Market , Listings , The Edge , Give , Edge

Xeriscaping in Utah - some sources
2007-09-05 22:12:00
Yesterday morning I was mowing the lawn at a listing of mine (they're family - I'm not THAT full service), and I was thinking of how nice it would be if the yard were xeriscaped. Just as I finished, it started to rain. Then just after that, the sprinklers came on at a house down the street, which again made me think of xeriscaping and how much water they would save. I am seriously considering this at my next place. I have noticed some Japanese garden themed xeriscapes and I absolutely love them. Japanese maples are a favorite of mine, and I couldn't plant enough of them. There is a growing number of homes around where I live that have done really great xeriscaping work to their yards. My wife and I like to take walks and gather ideas, so we immediately notice if anyone has made a change like this to their yard. Through asking around, I found a good xeriscaping resource for Salt Lake City in www.xeriscapedesign.com. This site has good before and after pictures so you can ...
More About: Utah , Sources , Some