The Shifting Market

I am writing this because today alone, this is a Jerry McGuire Moment and I hope it doesn’t bite me in the rear, I am just being real with all of you.  I have had this conversation about 8 times today with 8 different people. I don’t have all the answers but this is my take on the current market condition… Even builders and their representatives have asked me about this today, new contraction is not exempt from this….

I have been in real estate for over 14 years. In that time I have helped a 1000’s of people  move on with their lives and achieve their goals. I am a really good agent! I have given thousands pieces of advice over the same amount of years that they have thanked me for, some have used, some have not. I am a caring person. When real estate is good, most people are happy, when it is not good, they get upset, show their frustration and in times like these people question people like me, why isn’t my house selling, why are people not looking at my house, what are doing to sell my house… I get it. We are failing to meet the your goals, it is not out of lack of effort, marketing, money spent, open houses being held, it is a SHIFTING market. 

What is a shifting market? It is a market where inventories rise, prices drop and where the buyers are wanting more for less and the sellers want more. It doesn’t work for anyone. Making some money in a short period of time is a good thing but not as good as making lots of money in a short period. Those periods of time are few and far between because if it were like that all the time, at the end of the day, we all would make the money that we wanted and no one would lose. Agents (the good ones that care) are trying to put you into positions that you are happy with them and that you will choose to use them again, I am one of those agents. If we make some money, it is a good thing, but lets be realistic, we cannot make crazy money on each transaction every time, lets focus on making what the market will bare and move on with our goals. 

In the past 4 weeks, every agent local and national that I have had this discussion with has basically told me that they are stressed because they are letting their clients down by not selling their house at the price they want, I am no different. What I have heard out there is sellers asking why don’t people just make an offer and we will negotiate, we may even take it? We cannot put that on our listings because sellers do not want people to know that they are wanting, to move on. So why don’t we just price houses to what we will take, move on and then get into the house in the same manner? It is all momentum, if we can build momentum maybe that will help us all. SO do you want to talk about pricing that will actually bring in activity that may lead to a sale? It is about what you are willing to make, and what the market says houses are selling at in this shifting market. I can help identify your number, but it will be the market that will do the actual talking. 

15 Simple Landscaping Tips for Your Home

Now's the perfect time to get your yard in shape, so set aside a few weekends, use the tips below, and you'll be on your way to a beautifully landscaped yard that you can be proud of.

1. Make a plan. Draw your yard on a piece of paper, then plot out what should go where. This will help you to get a mental picture of the finished yard, and ensure that you have space for everything. Remember, complete landscaping could take years to complete, so having a plan will keep you on track.
2. Choose plants for all seasons. As you choose plants, pick some that will flower in the spring, summer and fall, along with varieties that will be attractive in the winter, so you'll always have some visual interest, no matter what the season.
3. Use perennials and annuals. Choose perennials that you know you're going to love for the long haul (these will come back each year). Annuals can be a bit more daring and trendy, because they only last for one season. Further, perennials only bloom for a certain period, so adding in some annuals gives you more color for the summer.
4. Think about color. You'll want to add some splashes of color throughout your landscape. Choose some brightly colored perennials that will return year after year, and also choose different colored bushes, flowering bushes and trees (even plants and trees with just foliage come in a wide range of colors).

5. Add depth. When planting flowerbeds, choose taller varieties for the back, shorter for the front and add a medium level in between. You can also plant a circular area this way, putting the tallest plants in the middle and working your way out.
6. Trim your trees and bushes. Give your trees and shrubs regular "hair cuts" to keep them neatly shaped and well-manicured. (Think about the shape you want ahead of time, such as round, cone-shaped, square or more natural.) Along these lines, you should also keep your lawn neatly mowed.
7. Add privacy and function. If you have neighbors close by, you can use evergreens and trees to create privacy and block views of other houses/unsightly areas. Evergreens also make excellent wind barriers, if you live in a particularly windy area. Meanwhile, if you want a shaded area or a canopy overhead, planting a large tree will be ideal (but should be avoided if you want to keep the area sunny and open).

8. Cover unsightly areas. If there is an area in your yard that you don't like (such as a gas meter or utility box), use bushes, perennials or small trees to hide it.
9. Edge the beds. Edging the spots where your grass meets flowerbeds, mulch or gardens adds visual appeal. Use a clean straight line, or install a small decorative fence or stone lining to define the space.
10. Watch your budget. Full-grown trees and plants are expensive, but you can greatly cut down your costs by buying smaller varieties (plants grow faster than you think) or looking for sales. Trees and other big-ticket items can even be purchased in the fall, when they're likely to be discounted (and it's not too late to plant them in the fall).
11. Create "rooms." If you're working with a large, undefined space, adding "walls" to create separate spaces can add a lot of appeal. Do this by using hedges, trees, flowerbeds and arbors to act as barriers (and don't forget to add a few pathways to connect them).

12. Use groundcover. Groundcover is an excellent choice for covering large spaces or adding interest in between trees and bushes. It comes in many different colors and varieties, plus, it's low maintenance and will keep weeds away.
13. Keep in style with your house/local region. Your landscape should coordinate with your home (so if you live in a Cape Cod style home you shouldn't surround it with cactuses). Meanwhile, not every plant will thrive in every region, so choosing some native plants ensures that your landscape will thrive and blend in with your local environment.
14. Keep maintenance in mind. If you know you don't want to spend a lot of time maintaining your yard, choose low-maintenance bushes, trees and perennials, and leave the intricate flowerbeds, extensive annuals, rock gardens and ponds to those who live to garden.
15. Plan your yard from all perspectives. The view of your home from the street is important, but so is your backyard and your view from inside the house. Keep all visual perspectives in mind as you plan your landscape.

Interviewing Child Care Provider

Parent’s Guide to Child Care 

Office of the City Clerk, Boise, Idaho

Telephone Interview Questions for Child Care Centers
Name of center:
Phone number:
Name of person answering the questions:
Address:


Tell the person answering the phone your name and the age of the child
needing care. Ask if he or she has time to answer a few questions. If not,
ask when it would be a good time to call back.


1. Do you have any openings?
If not, do you anticipate having openings in the near future?
2. Is the center licensed?
By whom?
3. Is the center accredited?
If not, does the center plan to pursue accreditation?
4. What is the cost per week? $
What does this include? (e.g., snacks, meals, diapers)
5. Are there any extra costs?
6. Is transportation available?
To and from what locations?
7. What days and hours is care available?
8. Does the center close for vacations, holidays, staff training, or other
reasons?
9. Is sick care available?
What are the policies regarding sick children?
10. How many children in each group?
8 Parent’s Guide to Child Care Licensing
Office of the City Clerk, Boise, Idaho
11. How many caregivers for each group?
12. What is the total number of caregivers in the center?
13. How many caregivers have left the center during the past year?
14. What are the education and training requirements for the caregivers?
15. What meals are served?
16. Is there a safe outside play area?
17. What are some sample activities that my child would be involved in?
18. How does the center communicate the curriculum to the parents?
19. Is there a weekly and/or daily written plan available to parents?
20. Does the center provide written policies?
21. Are parents permitted to visit their children unannounced at any time
during the day?

Add other questions you may have:
If the basic information sounds like it will meet your needs, ask when you
can visit. Be sure to make your appointment for a time the children will be
present.

• Sounds O.K.
• Maybe
• Not for me
• Date and time for visit
• Directions

Telephone Interview Questions for Child Care Homes

Name of caregiver:
Phone number:
Address:

Tell the caregiver your name and the age of the child needing care. Ask if
he or she has time to answer a few questions. If not, ask when it would be a
good time to call back.


1. Do you have any openings?
If not, do you anticipate having openings in the near future?
2. Is your home licensed?
By whom?
3. Is your home accredited?
If not, do you plan to pursue accreditation?
4. What is the cost?
What does this include? (e.g., snacks, meals, diapers)
Are there any extra costs?
5. What days and hours is care available?
6. If you are sick or on vacation, are there provisions for backup care?
7. What do you do when a child is sick?
8. How many other children are cared for in your home?
(See page 6 for recommended staff/child ratios)
9. What meals are served?
10. Is there a safe outside play area?
11. What are some sample activities that my child would be involved in?
10 Parent’s Guide to Child Care Licensing
Office of the City Clerk, Boise, Idaho
12. Are parents permitted to visit unannounced any time during the day?
Add other questions you may have:
If the basic information sounds like it will meet your needs, ask when you
can visit. Be sure to make your appointment for a time the children will be
present.
• Sounds O.K.
• Maybe
• Not for me
• Date and time for visit Directions
On-Site Interview Checklist
Center/Home provider:
Phone number:
Address:

How does it LOOK? 

1. Is it clean, colorful, and in good repair?
2. Is there a safe outside place to play?
3. Is it "child proof"?
Medicines and cleaning supplies are out of reach.
The fire evacuation plan is satisfactory.
Electrical outlets are covered or above children's reach.
4. Are there different areas for each activity and are you satisfied with the
amount of space for each?
5. Are there at least 35 square feet per child of usable playroom floor space
11 Parent’s Guide to Child Care Licensing
Office of the City Clerk, Boise, Idaho
inside and at least 75 square feet per child of outside play space?
6. Are there sufficient numbers and a variety of toys that will appeal to your
child and that are in good condition?
7. Are the meals nutritious? Do they include foods your child will eat? (Ask
to see a weekly menu.)
How does it SOUND?
1. Do the children's voices sound happy and are they at a reasonable noise
level?
2. Are the caregivers' voices calm and caring?
3. Is there children's music or singing at some time during the day?

The STAFF:

1. Are the caregivers actively involved with the children, not talking to each
other, doing paperwork, or "chores"?
2. Are good health habits followed (hand washing, diaper changing)?
3. Are the parents encouraged to make unscheduled visits?
4. Do the caregivers establish rules that children can follow?
5. Do the caregivers spend time holding and talking to the children?
6. Are the caregivers warm and friendly toward the children?
7. Do the caregivers treat each child as an individual?
8. Is there a schedule of activities posted?
9. Is the discipline fair and consistent without yelling or hitting?
10. Are the children supervised at all times?
11. Do the caregivers talk to the children frequently, pleasantly, and in a
way the children can understand?
12 Parent’s Guide to Child Care Licensing
Office of the City Clerk, Boise, Idaho

The CHILDREN: 

1. Do the children seem to be comfortable, happy, and enjoying
themselves?
2. Are the children encouraged to be independent, allowed to "do it
myself"?
3. Is there a balanced schedule that includes active and quiet times, group
and individual times, and indoor and outdoor play?
4. Are the children comforted when needed?
5. Are the children actively engaged in a variety of "hands-on" activities
appropriate to their age and interests?
6. Are the children allowed to make choices among a variety of activities
and learning opportunities?

How do YOU Feel? 

1. Do you feel your child will be well cared for?
2. Do you feel the home/center is safe and cheerful?
3. Do you feel your child can learn here?
4. Would you feel comfortable leaving your child here?
5. Would you feel comfortable calling or visiting unannounced at any time?
6. Would you feel comfortable talking and working with the caregivers?
If, after the visit, you are considering sending your child to this center or
home, ask for several references, preferably parents of children already
participating. You will want to contact these parents and ask them about
their experiences with the center/home.

Curb Appeal?