Kathy Morgan

My sister got her real estate license back in January of this year working for Royal Lepage in the Niagara Region, specifically in St. Catharines. She was a bit discouraged in the summer because she was not as busy as she thought she would be. I told her that I have had very consistant fall business and to keep plugging away. So she did and she seems to be busier than me this fall!! So... maybe everyone has a certain time of the year that they are busier than others? During my first spring as an agent I was amazed to see how busy the office was. Talk about coming out of the woodwork!!

Since getting my license, I have found 4 other family members that are licensed as well, 3 cousins and of course my sister, great for referrals! These areas of referral include the Niagara Region, Newmarket, Barrie and Dundas (Hamilton area). All places that we are seeing people move to our area from. Referrals are great as they seem to come in at all different times of the year, so never a problem to spend the time needed to look after them. I am looking forward to working with the family!

It is not often when you are working in real estate that you get a chance to spend a whole day with family and friends. Our annual "Play the Mo-Gi" golf tournament for Juvenile Diabetes allows me this opportunity. It is alot of work, but also alot of fun and well worth it. Every so often we do get blessed with good weather, but not as fantastic as this past weekend! Many of our golfers were in shorts and t-shirts. Our first year we golfed in snow and last year thunder and lightening in the midst of a downpour!! Always on the Thanksgiving weekend (appropriate) we have grown leaps and bounds.

Our 8th annual this year was a Crazy 8s theme and although golf was the order of the day, our 4somes had to play cards throughout the course and play with their 8 iron on the 8th hole. CRAZY!! We raised a total of $3330.00 and will donate it to the Charles H. Best Diabetes Center www.charleshbest.com in Whitby. We have raised over $25,000. to date for the centre. My son has been a diabetic for 10 years and has been looked after by the BEST as they are the only centre that specializes in Type 1 Diabetes for miles around. The 6 year old daughter of a very close friend of ours has just been diagnosed, so it makes us proud that we have been able to do this event and donate to the centre, as she will be going there also for the Best treatment around. Also priceless!!

John B. John M, Jim M, John M. (FAmily)

Christine D, Jen T, Jackie I, Kelly B. (Friends)

Our helpers, My sister Mary, (no more room to golf) niece Kasey and my sister Liz (FAmily)

Thanks to all for a great weekend and for helping us with a fabulous event.

CAN POSSIBLY FIND OUT HOW FAR THEY CAN GO". This was one of those magnetic messages that jumped out at me from a store wall recently. I was shopping for an inspiring housewarming gift for a client, but everything I saw that day said something to me. My business was in transition then, so it was funny that these messages on the wall seemed to be highlighting the way I have always thought of myself. I have always felt that I 'push the envelope' somewhat, think outside the box, and I always think 'why not" when others say no way. Never one to accept no for an answer, I am always looking for new and different ways to do something. It does get me in trouble at times, (mostly with my husband!)but why do people settle for No?? Why do people give up so easily when something gets in their way??

In real estate you run into a lot of negativity and difficult situations. Let's face it, real estate is a risky endeavor. However, it can be the most exhilarating experience of ones life. The feeling of owning your own home, your own business or your own investment property is not one you come across many times in your life. It can be settling, peaceful, a feeling of accomplishment and downright joy! These are the things that I like to focus on.

However...there are a lot of people that don't want to risk home ownership, too many people saying no, even in their own mind, they think they can't do it. My advice? ....don't listen to others or yourself, unless they are professionals and you have put yourself out there and down on paper. There are a lot of different ways to own a home, to run a business, and to keep yourself motivated. You will never know until you try, because....

ONLY THOSE WHO RISK GOING TOO FAR CAN POSSIBLY FIND OUT HOW FAR THEY CAN GO!

There are partnerships that work, not many, but they do work. Had great expectations, and great ideas, just not wanting the same things out of this business. From everything I have read and heard from other agents, take time off, make sure you keep your priorities straight, don't ignore your family, I wanted to find that balance. I had worked 20 years in retail management for a large corporation and was ready to continue to work, but not at that pace. But in a partnership , one must work the same as the other or you get into certain issues such as fairness, time issues, etc....you are still obligated to work at a certain pace whether you like it or not. Not for me.

My motto has always been "slow and steady wins the race" and I fully believe that will help me to succeed in real estate. You can't always be running after things without a plan or that is what you will keep doing, running. No direction, no plan, no luck.

It was only an 8 month foray into the partnership but i learned soooo much about myself.....I would rather work for myself, be responsible for myself, enjoy the income made by myself, set my own direction and stay the course...and there is no one to answer to but myself. Sounds like a plan!

24 little hours! That is what this business is all about, so much changes in such a short period of time. Nothing happens for months on a listing than all of a sudden a showing, then an offer, then a sale. They say patience is a virtue and whoever can handle the wait is definitely ahead of the game! Our market has slowed a bit this year but I still find there is a lot of calls, inquiries, and interest in real estate in general. There are still investors, builders, first time buyers, and people that have budgeted well that are still in the market for a home. The wait might be longer in between sales, but there will still be sales! Remember.....what a difference a day makes!