Lori Bee

Life is not about work alone, but your life's passions can help you build business. Too often we don't network with the people that share those passions, which is a huge mistake. It's a natural building block for business and friendship when you already have something in common. And you need to do this both off and online. Who want's to work with, or refer to, a boring, all business agent? I don't find that niche particularly drawing.

Some of my passions are first and foremost: My Children. I love my kids. They come first, even before business. And if you don't get that, well... we probably won't work well together. However, I'd love to hear about yours too! And I talk a lot of real estate at those soccer and basketball games. And the cool thing is, I don't even have to hard sell. Wearing my shirt or coat with my logo just about always draws a real estate question or two. Parents care about their real estate investments and want to know what is going on with the market. And finding those great backyards for their families is so much fun!

Another HUGE passion of mine includes horses. I have always loved horses and ever since I can remember, I was always asking for one. Now I own a Dutch Warmblood and a Thoroughbred, and my daughter shares in that passion, with her own Hunter Paint pony, Jackson (picture above). I often find myself at shows networking not even realizing it. Land and horses go together, and when I am at events or even just at the barn practicing, all kinds of real estate questions come up. And I absolutely love looking for land for the those future beautiful barns! My friends that are in the horse world, know that I know what it takes to find good property, with good facilities, topography and grasses for their prized horses. That honestly is my favorite real estate endeavor.

I also love dogs. And whether my clients have just one or many, we naturally "get" each other. I understand that they may not want to be in a neighborhood with covenants and restrictions. They may want to search for land for a kennel (only work with reputable breeders of course!) where there won't be noise ordinances. Having shown English Setters and Cavaliers for over 5 years now, I know that they also search for homes with "doggie" doors, fencing, and for existing or possibility for future, grooming facilities.

I also love music and watching sports. I started out as a music major and come from a musical family who often had their "sound rooms." Good acoustics are important in evaluating and recording yourself! And watching sports (esp Football) is a pastime that carries over into finding great theatre rooms, that allow for entertaining and good sound and clear visuals. I've helped lay out and design 3 Theatre rooms for myself, and many more for some of the new construction homes I've sold. Experience teaches you a lot in good flow, and in good video and sound!

Last but not least, my favorite passion INSIDE of a home, is the Kitchen. I love to cook and I love wine. And many of my clients also share those passions, and look for homes with chef style kitchens, double ovens with built in griddles, big pantries, and wine cellars. And if I can't find an existing home for them, I can help them plan those features with my new construction experience. That is soooo much fun! And I love even more being invited back to their new homes for dinner and vino! :-)

I have observed a lot of agents reporting on the market, giving stats, and not much else. Those things are good, and should be incorporated into your business plan, but focus on your passions on and offline. Find customers with something in common with you, and you AND your clients will be much happier for it in the end. Cheers!

I have learned a lot about Social Networking in the last few months. Still learning every day about the Do's and Don't's. And there is certainly lots to learn. But there also seems to be a bit of a divide in thinking on how much is too much. There is definitely a fine line there, and one, that I am STILL trying to figure out.

I admittedly post a lot on Twitter and Facebook. I didn't realize until I got a Direct Message via Twitter that it was bothering anyone. There were some good points in the message, and I did not take offense to it, but tried to learn from it. For example, I am learning to use Direct Messaging more on Twitter when the conversation goes back and forth more than a time or two. Apparently, people don't like "listening in" on those conversations. Which I understand, NOW that it was pointed out to me. :-)

However, I also have seen/heard comments made by Tech/SEO/Web experts who say they don't want to see personal posts about us going to fairs, our animals or our kids, etc. Hmmmm....I don't think they understand our business. We really do have to "sell" who we are, and where we live, and what we can do, both business and recreation wise in our area, to attract customers, or even referrals from like-minded agents! It's called Lifestyle Marketing, and it's what makes or breaks an agent, especially in a tough market like this one.

I promise I will try to keep in mind, that I really don't want everyone to "be in my business" in a personal manner, but those pictures/comments of my life, paint a portrait of who I am, and the kind of person you will be working with, to find you a great home, or take care of your referral client. I think those things are much more important in our business, than say perhaps someone who sits behind a computer all day developing websites, where it probably doesn't matter as much.

That's not to say that I don't appreciate their concern and try not to go overboard either. I know we have a lot to learn from each other, and I truly want them to keep me in check! I just also want them to understand we ARE different in our marketing techniques. While I am trying to keep an open mind, and listening to their thoughts and concerns on what we do as agents, right or wrong while utilizing all the various forms of social media, I do also hope they keep in mind that the real estate business is highly personal.

Customers and even other agents (who send referrals) want to know we are Mom's, Farmers, Dog or Horse Lovers, into Wine, Ski, Garden,Volunteer for Children's Charities, etc, before they even choose to work with us. Posting listings and statistics all the time is not going to cut it online, when it comes to whether somebody wants to spend days/weeks/months looking for a home with us. In fact I would say a lot of customers would be turned off by that, if there were no personal interjections whatsoever. The hard sell is proven NOT to work in our business.

I love my job, and I love sharing the things that make me happy living here in the Carolinas. And hopefully some of those things will strike a chord with others, and want them to work with me and live here too.

...ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR!

I had the unique opportunity to speak to the media not once, but twice this past week, while at the NC Association of REALTORS Convention, earlier this week. Well, that was an eye opening experience for me!

First was a News 14 TV Interview... http://news14.com/Video/BuildASX.ashx?vids=71687&StationId=5&am...

Well, it was very interesting to me to see what "tidbits" they edit out to get what they "want to hear." My comments were much more upbeat and positive for the future in actuality, but this interview was just the tip of the iceberg. Overall, this story wasn't a horrible report.

However, in the Tuesday edition of the Charlotte Observer, I was (MIS) Quoted as saying my business was down 50%. While I did state that, it was NOT the end of my sentence! Nor the beginning! My "quote" was prefaced that my particular market had a double whammy, because not only were we hit here in Union County with the market downturn, that the new APFO's (adequate public facility ordinances - i.e. tax on new construction), and other anti-growth measures, as well as the sewer moratorium, which all affects new construction (my primary focus - now changing! )... had hit us as well. Union County was the 6th fastest growing county in the NATION last year, but I doubt if it will be in the top 20 next.

I hate it more than anyone that my business has slowed, but I also told the Observer that my year last year, was a BANNER year, so it's hard to compare and I am just back to a "normal" market year. Of course, they didn't say all that. (But I will be happy to take your referrals now! LOL )

The Observer then took all that out and made it seem like the entire market was down 50% in Waxhaw, when the resale market is actually doing pretty well. Just great! I took quite a bit of razzing at the NCAR Convention for the piece. But I also found it interesting that I also had MANY agents come up to me and say... "Finally someone telling the truth." Hmmmm.....

Which also makes me wonder, how do you be honest and upbeat (I was trying really hard!)? I know a lot of complaints have been issued against the National Association of REALTORS for not being totally forthright with their market reporting, and that their "It's a great time to buy campaign!", which I personally like, makes it hard to get sellers to also be realistic with pricing and selling terms. So where is the balance? Can it even be done?

I don't think either being "chicken little" OR the "ostrich" with my head in the sand, is a good way to go, but the media always seems to put their slant on the story, no matter how balanced and accurate you try to be.

So in hindsight, I am thinking... how do we talk to the media, or should we even try? How do we chose our words carefully. Hence the reason for my post. My experience should serve as a warning... Your words can and will be taken out of context. But it's also a reminder that in ALL things that the media reports on, that we need to keep in the back of our mind, that those things too, also might not be fair and balanced reporting either. Be careful out there.

Post your bad experiences, warnings, or even good ones here... I'd really like to learn more about what everyone else has to say. And I hope everyone will take a moment to "read between the lines" and re-evaluate the information provided to you by the news outlets.

This is one of my loves, Raleigh, an adorable Cavalier.

Ok, so y'all are probably wondering how pets relate to real estate. They do in soooo many ways. After all, they have become members of the family in American households. And how am I qualified to know about "pet matters?" Well, I have 3 horses, 4 dogs, 2 cats, 13 chickens, 5 goats, and 2 box turtles to start with... and I am a member of the Pet Realty Network, which specialized in meeting the real estate needs of pet owners. Check out my page at : https://www.petrealtynetwork.com/agent_info.asp?id=312 or my website (esp. my Photo Album!) at http://BeeRealty.com .

Anyway, I have been thinking today a lot of my own pet needs. We have 3 hurricanes - Hanna, Ike & Josephine, kinda aimed right at us here in the Carolinas, and so, in preparing for them, I also have to take care of my pets. Thankfully I am inland a bit (3 hrs to the coast), but know that even here, you have to take your pets into consideration. I also have a good bit of property to accomodate them all (nearly 18 acres) but I have taken the time this week to stock up on pet food, make sure I have easily accessible copies of their shot and health records (including the all important Coggins test for my horses if I suddenly have to go across state lines!), and have their carriers and trailers in good working (and cleaned) shape. I have cleared the fields where the horses are, of an potential flying debris and loose tack, checked on fence boards & reinforced loose ones, and made sure any loose tools are put away inside so they don't become dangerous spears!

I also made sure I have all of their regular meds, and an dequate supply of buffered aspirin (for dogs for pain), Corona and Antibiotic Spray for horses & goats, along with Bute and other pain and tranquelizing meds for horses that may become necessary. The chicken coop has been checked to make sure it is as durable as possible, and a sheet of plywood on standby for the window, if it becomes necessary. I have plenty of gauze and other supplies, along with a very ample supply of feed for all of the critters. Their water troughs are being kept filled because even though we have well water, if we lose power, we lose the well. A generator takes gasoline, which is often in short supply after a hurricane due to power outages and supply lines being shut down. So generators would only be used if absolutely necessary. Besides, full water troughs are a whole lot less likely to blow away in a storm. :-)

I have the rare luxury of having a basement in my home here in the Carolinas, where I have moved my dog and cat crates too, and where I am absolutely sure my son will move his precious box turtle cage too, if the need should arise, as well. All their supplies, as well as most of our hurricane disaster items, are there as well... flashlights, candles, battery operated radios, water, some food, and some blankets. Tornadoes often do strike, well inland, as they spin of the tropical systems. I am ever mindful of that.

Anyway, I was just thinking everyone should take a moment to consider your pet emergency needs during this time. Afterall, they are members of our family.... and we need to be responsible pet owners and take care of them too.

Also feel free to check out this article: http://maestro-trk.bloodhorse.com/trk/click?ref=zqoqmnmb8_1-a89x3339ax135715& from Blood Horse on more resources for your pet emergency needs during this hurricane season.

Be safe everyone.

Blessings from Blessing Hill Farm and Bee Realty - Waxhaw, NC

Allen Tate Realtors^® recently launched an excellent ad campaign, including a television commercial which emphasizes that, just as the weather is local, so is the real estate market. It starts with a weather forecaster saying, "It's -10 degrees and snowing EVERYWHERE!" Doesn't make sense does it? They go on to say that real estate is similar, and that the Charlotte market is local, and different.

SNOW FORECAST FOR CHARLOTTE IS WRONG!

Very true. While numbers of sales are down slightly, and days on market is a bit longer, Charlotte has bucked the national trend by actually posting a 1.8% increase in sales price for the month of January. The highest in the nation, and the only major metro area posting an increase at all.

What makes Charlotte different? Well, we had fewer investors over the last 5 years over inflating our markets. While many metropolitan areas had it's share of "flippers" who sent their markets into meteoric rises, we were taking the slow and steady route. So we did not have the large bubble to burst. While many of us in the business were a bit envious of the increases in other markets over the last several years, most of us are now grateful we did not indulge in that experience. Sellers here are definitely happier.

The local homebuilder's association has also done an excellent job in managing our new homes market, which helps the resale market maintain prices as well. They observed what was happening around the country and prepared our market by cutting back on land acquisitions, holding permits to a minimum, and also thinning their overhead not just in employees but with construction costs, as much as possible. This has kept the market from having a glut of new homes sitting, effectively managing the supply vs. demand. My hats off to them!

The Homebuilder's Association of Charlotte has also launched an incredible marketing tool to educate buyers and sellers about our local market. It is called, "Charlotte Between The Lines," and offers statistics and expert real estate forecasters who study our market intensively, as well as the national markets. If you have clients who are moving to Charlotte, I highly encourage you to forward this site to them, and also to a REALTOR^® , like myself ;-) , who understands our market. My e-mail is Lori@BeeRealty.com and website is http://BeeRealty.com .

As REALTORS^® and homebuilders partner together to educate buyers and sellers about local market conditions, I forecast a bright future here in Charlotte. Do I think we will remain immune to the national market? Certainly not, as we honestly have already been impacted a bit. But if we allow consumers to believe the national media "knows everything everywhere," well, we allow "perception to become reality." We here in Charlotte are fighting back, and helping buyers to realize, it truely is "A good time to buy, " and that "real estate is local."

By the way, it's actually going to be 70 degrees and sunny here in Charlotte today!