Now what could possibly be similar between the gold stars we receive from Active Rain and the real estate transactions we work so hard to get? 
You never know when the next one is going to come along!
That's right. At least for me, this is so true. I never know what I write on Active Rain is going to land in the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and will remain forever sequestered in my growing pile of almost rans.
Just when you think there will never be another gold star...along it comes. Yipee!
Have you ever felt this way about real estate? For some it may be, "Am I ever going to have another buyer that is really ready, willing, and able to buy?"
Others of us sometimes wonder, "Am I ever going to have a listing that will actually sell?"
Yes, there are times when there is way too much time between settlements. If this has never happened to you, you are one of the fortunate few.
In retrospect we may look back and realize that it really wasn't that long between commission checks but when you do not have one in the hopper it can seem like forever.
Then one day just when you think there will never be another check...along it comes. Yipee again!
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If If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.
Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.
Contact Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web site http://lakeannacountry.com/.
©Copyright Kate Elim 2011
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GET MOVING WITH KATE!
540-226-1964 cell
lakeanna-realestate.com (Blog)
gold stars and almost rans....it makes me kind of sad........'almost ran' sounds like it wasn't quite good enough....and since the gold stars of life - the acknowledgements are so far a few...wouldn't it be nice if they were 'always rans'? :-)
Kate, the mystery of the gold stars continues, and the longer we are here in the Rain, you just enjoy them when they fly by. We should not get too down or too up in business and if life for that matter because there are natural rhythms out there and ebbs and flows. Just roll with it all.
Kate, both take a lot of work to earn. :-)
Kate, you're right. Real estate and the gold stars can be quite unpredictable, but that's part of what makes it exciting and rewarding when the deals come together!
Kate,
"You never know when the next one will come along"
Hmmm, for me I guess it's "you never know when the first one will come around" lol
Don't you find agents are never stisfied. They get a listing and it sits and they are unhappy.
They get a listing and it sells quickly and they are unhappy cuz they say they didn't have it long enough to work it and now they have to go and look for another one.
I remember a manager once telling me that when we sell a home we should tell our sellers that they have to find a replacement listing for us.
They come they go...it's what we do in between that matters :)
I have had 1 gold star and about 50 sales in my 13+ months on here...I guess I will take the sales and I had to beg for the gold star.
Gold stars...had a couple of them...Thank God I have more closings than gold stars!
kate- You are absolutley right...you just never know when each will pop up. Each is super nice in its own way though so both put a smile on ones face :)
Do all those stars on your post have a link to my site? lol! I wish
I am always shocked at what gets a star. I stopped trying to get one a long time ago....
I think my posts are to short!
your friend in Charlottesville Virginia!
Kate, Who ever thought a little star would make us all so HAPPY? Almost like a kid in school...... :)
I hear ya! It's funny how the "next one" is usually right out of the blue and not at all what you're expecting.
Kate, you are too funny but it is so true. It's always a treat to open up AR and find that we have been featured. Although, not nearly as exciting as closing a sale!
Hi Liz...Thank you for putting things in a more positive way. I like almost ran much better also.
Kate
Hi Gary...There's something fun about having a little mystery in our lives. Surprises are good for us.
Kate
Hi Dave...Well, sometimes they do and sometimes they don't seem to take as much effort. That keeps us on our toes.
Kate
Hi Frank and Sharon...Exactly! Who wants their life to be totally predictable? Not many REALTORS I would think.
Kate
Hi Jenny...I like that broker's idea. It would sure make it a lot easier for us.
Kate
Hi Sally...Yes, it's what we do that counts. We have to know how to handle the ups and downs.
Kate
Hi Chuck...It's those closings that enable us to continue to be REALTORS. Congratulations on having 50 in just over a year.
Kate
Hi Gary...I like them both but like you if I had to make a choice I'd go with those closings.
Kate
Hi Martha...Whatever makes us smile is a good thing and both of those certainly do.
Kate
Hi Charles...If I could, I would link them all to you.
You rank so high here on the Rain, you have proben to be your own gold star.
Kate
Hi Carole...I was delighted recently when one made you so happy.
Kate
Hi Georgina...That's what is so exciting. I think we thrive on the unexpected.
Kate
Hi Diane...Thank goodness we are all keeping it in perspective. Those closins still rank #1.
Kate
Kate--hard work and luck. Those are the things you commented on in my post yesterday and now they apply to your post. I see from the other comments that many AR members agree. We work hard and sometimes we are lucky enough to have the elusive gold star light up the sky above or below our post. Let it shine brightly on you. You deserve it!!! Mary
Kate: Gold stars and closed sales just don't happen. I don't subscribe to the "lucky" agent theory. I do subscribe to the belief that planning, preparation, hardwork, and staying focussed and ready to answer when opportunity knocks is what it is all about.
Hi Kate! You're SO funny! I'm with you though--you just never know but, when they do come along, you cherish them as though they were GOLD! I remember a long time ago I made the comment to someone in my office that I just had my LAST closing--I had NOTHING scheduled down the pipeline and was just amazed at how panic-sticken I felt. Well, that afternoon, I got a call from a former client who had a referral for me, then another... I told my hubby that I would NEVER worry about not having something in the works because I was going to keep doing what I do and the business would come. HAHAHAHAHA! EVERY single time that I have that 'last' closing and no contracts in the works, I get that 'UhOh' feeling! Drives me nuts but, I guess that's just how sales goes!
As for the gold stars--I love them too but, I also like to see my favorite Rainers get them too! So, I'm not nearly as likely to 'panic' if I don't get one for awhile!!
Have a wonderful Sunday...
I always like more Yippee though, more Yippee means less worry about the mortgage payment. (LOL)
Hi Kate,
I enjoyed this post and like you I enjoy seeing that little gold star. It validates that people appreciate what you have to share and that you've made a connection - it reminds me of childhood when we got those stars on our homework assignments - we felt so great and couldn't wait to bring our papers home to show mom and dad. I guess I still get that same feeling when I see a gold star appear on my post. Isn't it funny how something so small can provide so much? It also comes down to providing great content and you my friend are on a roll - here's to more gold stars for you! ~Anne Marie