Proof that not everyone was aware of the time change over the weekend. On average I'd say I host seven groups an hour at an Open House.  This past Sunday, the day we set our clocks ahead one hour, I had the grand total of '0' (zero) people visit.  Zippo, zilch, nadda...like Markus Naslund on the score sheet. Despite it advertised as starting at 1pm, it wasn't until 2pm that the people started to roll in. As the home I was showing is in a new neighbourhood, a number of neighbours had to come by for a peek.  Some to get ideas, some to compare and some just because they had nothing else to do. I really don't mind the visit at all because they are a wealth of knowledge and it allows me to pick their brains, find out why they bought in the neighbourhood, and get the scoop that is only known to those who live in the neighbourhood - so thanks! 

 

Also over the weekend, my famly had the opportunity to hear the Barenaked Ladies perform songs from their new childrens album "Snack Time" which will be released May 6th. My daughter, who turns 3 on Friday loves music and we knew this would be a concert she would enjoy - but first we had to explain to her WHO we were going to be seeing.... "they aren't naked and they aren't ladies" she was told, to which she replied as only a 3 year old can "Are they BEARS?!"  In any case, she loved the concert, which was filled with typical BNL humour and catchy songs. It will definately be a CD we pick up.  All the way home we sang "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 10..what happened to 9? 7 ate 9."

 

So I usually spend an hour or two each day stomping around Port Moody or Coquitlam and dropping my card or a flyer at peoples homes.  The benefits are numerous but include the fact a person gets a much better "feel" for the neighbourhood from being there... seeing the condition of the homes, obsserving the traffic and seeing the "curb appeal" or lack of it from house to house. The other benefit for me of course, is to meet people.  I don't door knock though.  I hate it when someone knocks at the door and you know it is 'somebody wanting something'.  "Do unto others" they say, so I don't do it.  Some homes have "No Agent" signs, or "No Peddlers or Salesman" or even "No Flyers or Junkmail", all of which I observe and obey.  Though in the back of my mind I'm thinking "I'm not an salesman - I'm a real estate CONSULTANT.  And I'm not going to leave behind junk - just my card... which is like handing out money when you think of it."

 

Being a realtor 'back home' in southeast Saskatchewan would have been easy.  I knew everyone, and if I didn't know you, we probably played hockey against one another, went to the same wedding or sat in the same section at a Roughrider game. A little different out here. Much more ethnically diverse. When I make calls, I never know what language might pick up on the other side. Naturally, people are often more comfortable with someone they have a lot in common with....similar heritage, language or traditions and I'm cool with that. So any green face-painted,rum and rye drink'n prairie folk looking to buy or sell your home - GIVE ME A CALL....604-NEW-HOME.  I'm one of you!

 

Seriously though, I am looking to expand my network of friends and acquaitances in the Tri-city area and have started a "Port Moody Work From Home Meet Up" group.  Over the past few months I have met and talked to a good number of men and women who are working from home. The idea is to provide a social and networking group to share ideas, refer clients and maybe, just maybe discover other people who wear Rider green to the Lions games.  The first meeting is tentatively set for the first Thursday of the month starting in April. Go to Meetup.com if this is of interest to you.

 

'til next time,

 

Allan

604NewHome.com