My Mechanicsburg

"...Wasting time
Let the hours roll by
Doing nothing for the fun
Little taste of the good life
Whether right or wrong
Makes us want to stay stay stay stay for awhile..."

I woke up today, and the sky was clear blue, and despite the cool of fall, the sun shone with a warm brilliance. You can't pass up a day like this to go outside for one reason or another. In need of some exercise I decided a walk was in order. 

I live in Mechanicsburg, I have lived here off an on for thirty-four years, born-n-raised one could say. I have lived elsewhere briefly, but Mechanicsburg is like a warm blanket and when LC and I decided to move back here after a few years in nearby Etters that is exactly how it felt. And while it's no New England or Adirondacks, I still love Mechanicsburg in the Fall. You get the leaves changing color, and familiar smells of fall- somewhere someone is burning a wood fire, coupled with the leaves falling from the trees creates a scent that is as comforting as going to sleep listening to the races in nearby Williams Grove in the summer!

Let me throw a little bit of Mechanicsburg History your way. On April 12, 1828 the borough was given the name Mechanicsburg after the increased settlement of Conestago Wagon mechanics to the area. Designated as a water station for the restocking of locomotives in the 1800's, railroads played a vital role in Mechanicsburg's development linking the town to the business and industry world. Grain and feed companies, lumber yards, and numerous factories were intentionally placed along these tracks to attract more business. During the 19th century an average of 25 trains chugged through the town daily carrying travelers, mail, newspapers, coal, and food. However, today only six trains travel through each day. This number did not used to be this high until Norfolk Southern gained more work on the local sub-line running through Mechanicsburg. [http://wikitravel.org/en/Mechanicsburg]

Today Mechanicsburg is a thriving little town. Situated in something of an interstate hub, we have easy access to I-81, I-83, I-76, PA 11/15, and 322.  This translates to easy road trips to New York, Maryland, Pittsburgh, State College, Washington D.C. and many more destinations. This ease of major road ways is one of the things I value most because love a good road trip and living here allows me access to just about any direction. 

Its a nice place to live because you have thriving housing communities that appeal to all budgets, it's a safe place to live with low crime, and even lower violent crime, and it's a community that celebrates! There's the annual Wrench Drop for New Year's! In the summer we host Jubilee Day, which is the largest one day street fair in Eastern PA! And in the Fall we have the annual Halloween Parade in downtown Mechanicsburg. 

Two great school districts make up the majority of Mechanicsburg. First you have Mechanicsburg School District, and then you have Cumberland Valley School District. Two very good school systems all the way Kindergarten thru 12th Grade. 

OK so that is enough boring data meant to entice those of you NOT living here to come here! It's funny but I never thought of myself is having much community pride until the past couple years. The truth is LC and I used to discuss moving to Williamsburg, VA often. We even bought into a time-share down there before we were even home-owners here! It always seemed like a place we wanted to be, and indeed still very much is. The truth is I can navigate myself around Williamsburg almost as easily as I can here at home. And the draw to history was what initially brought us down there.  

It's the feeling I get when I come home, that's the feeling that ends up keeping us here! (And if you don't live in Mechanicsburg, why you should! 

Thanks for reading!

And then you make it out...

"Try to swim, keep your head up
Kick your legs never give up, boy
If I could I'd turn it around
Let me out I wanna get out now
You know the feeling when you're in too deep
And then you make it out the taste so sweet..."

Ever have one of those weeks where there was something you just wanted to get done, but it just never seemed to happen? That's pretty much what happened with my blog! I've been wanting to write something all week but I never seemed to have a string of solid ideas to talk about, and how it related to my life as a real estate agent. Maybe this doesn't have to be entirely about real estate... maybe what I've been trying to achieve is simply an outlet. Somewhere to put my thoughts into words. Either way, the result was that I couldn't really think of anything to write this week, but look at that; I've written an entire paragraph about not being able to write anything! 

So anyone who's clever and been following this blog (or anyone who knows ME well enough) has noticed that I like to begin each entry with lyrics from Dave Matthews Band. Yes, I'm a HUGE fan. More than that though, so many of their songs actually speak to me. I find the meaning, or find meaning in them that I apply to my world. So if you haven't placed the quotes yet... there's the key. 

Dave Matthews and violinist Boyd Tinsley (my cat's name is Tinsley!)

Today's quote sort of sums up how I've been feeling lately with my career in real estate. Now I know this is only the second week I've been writing this blog, but I've been practicing now since the end of August. They say in order to be successful you have to give yourself about six months to a year to really see the fruits of your labor. Well... they were not kidding. I'm almost two months in and I'm not ashamed to say I haven't produced yet. I've not yet listed a home, and I've not yet sold one. Seasoned agents tell me that it's normal and not to be too hard on myself. Problem is- I'm running out of resources! Gotta pay the bills! I don't come from a well-endowed family, I didn't have a large chunk of money set aside. But I wanted to practice real estate and I refuse to believe that this is an industry that only the already-well-to-do can succeed in. It's time to find an interim source of income so that I can stay afloat while I continue to plant the seeds for this career. I think that's maybe another reason I haven't written much this week... most of the week I've been scared that I made a mistake "If I could I'd turn it around, let me out I wanna get out now..." is pretty much the feeling all week. Well readers thank you for allowing me to get that bit of stress off my chest. (If you don't write your own blog, I recommend it! This can be more therapeutic than you may think!) I know when I do finally sell a home the taste will be so sweet! 

DMB Virginia Beach 2015

Carnival Pride out of Baltimore, MD

Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum

OK so I definitely started on a low note, but lets shift gears for a moment- when you work a job that you can conceivably work 24/7 and not just 9-5 it can be overwhelming if you don't turn your mind off and take a break. (YES I know it's probably too early for me to feel over-worked given the prior paragraphs!) It's important to have an outlet! (And yes it's important to have outlets no matter what you do so forgive me if I made you feel humbled). What are your outlets? I can tell you what I've done for years. I have outlets peppered throughout my year. In March it's LC's birthday. And for years LC, Kace, and I have packed out bags and headed down to Williamsburg, VA. It's a great place for a long weekend if your into history, or if your just looking to get away. Williamsburg trips were always my favorite get away just the three of us, kind of a special time to celebrate a birthday and spend time with my two favorite people. In the summer- well that's a no-brainer- Dave Matthews Band concert! Again we pack out bags for Virginia where we try to catch the Virginia Beach concert and maybe spend the weekend in Williamsburg again! (Look I said we like Williamsburg!) A few years ago for my 30th birthday we went in a new direction- I got to celebrate my birthday at sea when  we took our first cruise! And since then we've been bitten by the cruise bug! After Halloween it's the holiday season and some of my favorite times of the year are centered around Thanksgiving and Christmas. I suppose it's that way for many too. But there's something warming about spending those times with the people you love the most. I won't go into too much about the holidays now, since they are almost upon us and it will inevitably give us something to talk about more as we get closer! 

Thanks for reading! I truly appreciate those who read my ramblings!

The week ends, the week begins...

"...He wakes up in the morning
Does his teeth bite to eat and he's rolling
Never changes a thing
The week ends the week begins..."

 I woke up this morning, or should I say I opened my eyes when I heard LC getting ready for work, as I had not slept most of the night... stupid mind turning cogs, and oh yeah dreaded heartburn! ANYHOO I woke up this morning with not much planned for the weekend. I had another Open House on Sunday (kind of a newbie staple in Real Estate) and my one client had two houses to see on Saturday. That's pretty light fare. I was still rubbing the exhaustion from my eyes, as I performed my morning ritual of laying in bed, reading the news, checking the social networks, etc. (Come on you know you pick up you iDroid, every morning too and check to see whats happening in the world too!) As I was saying, still in my boxers in bed, my cat Nittany desperate for attention, and I get a text from a fellow agent- "Goin outta town, can you help me out..." BOOM I had more activity this weekend that quickly. An hour later I'm in the office and another fellow agent- "He man I got this client that wants to see this place, can you help me out this weekend?" BOOM MORE action! That's how quickly things can change in the life of a real estate agent. My Saturday went from a quick two-home showing to three appointments spread across central PA. (Which for a newbie like me, has me ecstatic!)  I've had friends comment (on more than one occasion) since I've become a real estate agent that "I wish I had your freedom to do what I want," and comments of the like. 

I think this is the obvious reaction for folks that live in the 9-5 world. Let me explain, I used to work as a store manager in retail (hoping never to repeat that FYI...) you have a schedule, every day you know 'I am going to be working from x time to x time.' And your life is approached, and scheduled very much on a linear scale like that day in and day out. So from that perspective, yep I appear to come and go, in and out of the office, on the computer, off the computer, etc. The life and schedule of a real estate agent is not linear, if you were to draw out the day in the life- it would look more like a scribble or loopy madness, like a child's drawing of... well anything. This is because my (and even worse for seasoned agents) day doesn't start and end at 'X' time. Like today I got my first communication while still in bed. And I'm certainly not off the clock at 5:00 either. Nope, I could hear from my 1's of clients (a number surely to go up the more people read this blog and realize my natural born awesomeness! lol) and be asked to try and schedule a showing on a house they drove past on their way home from work... and can we see it tonight?! Sure lets make that happen! Family dinner? Yep might have to excuse myself from one of those from time to time. Agents make themselves available basically 24/7 360-ish days a year. (What you thought we'd give up every holiday too??) On the flippity flip, we DO have probably more freedom to decide what happens throughout the week, Doctor's appointment? Sure I can put that between my 10:00 and 1:00 on Wednesday! Dog needs to go to the vet to have open house keys removed from rectum? Yep probably going to need that done before Sunday... 

To put it simply, we trade linear work schedules for extremely open and flexible schedules. And for someone like me, it's ideal because I learned to work long hours in retail (where the corporate office had no problem mandating you work 60 hours but get paid for 50...don't ask, it was 'legal') so I don't mind working, but I love movement. I'm not a type that likes being grounded to the same spot for 8-10 hours a day. So today I'm sitting here in the office, but after I grab some lunch I can go throw up some open house signs, then I can head back to my home office and continue my search to find a client some more listings that might entice him enough to buy! Changes of scenery are great! The inherent downside to this line of work is- it does make it difficult if you, say, want to get a part-time job to continue your ability to pay the bills when things are slow. Then it's time to consider being even MORE flexible with your time and finding something 3rd shift so as not to interfere with the 'day job'.
If I want to be successful it may just be what I have to do. I've recently begun to respect and envy comedian Kevin Hart, I think he's immensely funny, but when I began to follow him on Facebook, I saw the man with serious drive to succeed. This was his advice on success:

The face you make when your friends think your job is easy.

"I think when some people win it’s very hard for them to lose. I’ll use Kobe Bryant as an example. Kobe Bryant is a winner.

Kobe Bryant loves to win. There is no in between. When he loses, there’s not a reason for it. There’s not an excuse. There a “I lost, and I need to figure out how to win again.

My will to win in amazing.

I’ve got a taste of success, and now I want more. But it’s not just about success, it’s about the brand. It’s about becoming a businessman. It’s about becoming an entity.  It’s about becoming a mogul. It’s really about setting things up so when you’re not here, the ones that love you most are taken care of.

I am a product of Nancy Hart, my mother. She was a worker and the word “can’t” or “won’t” never existed."

A long road ahead of me, but Kevin isn't the only celebrity one can follow that encourages not giving up, and sticking to your dreams. And the truth is, if being successful was easy, perhaps you wouldn't have an America with the 1%... if it were easy it'd be the 99%. Not saying I want to be a 1%, but I want to be near it! 

Thanks for reading! And have a great weekend! 

Don’t give up, I know you can see..

...Can’t lay down and wait for a miracle to change things
So lift up your eyes, lift up your heart
Singing, mercy will we overcome this
Oh, one by one, could we turn it around
Maybe carry on just a little bit longer...

I was recently talking with a childhood friend, who also happens to be a realtor. She was giving me advice on how to get started and ways to be successful. You see becoming a real estate agent is easy, but becoming successful...well it's not simply a matter of passing a test and boom you start making big dollars. Nope... passing the test only unlocks the door, the next phase is learning how to be a successful business, your own business and your own brand. You may work at a brokerage, that gives you access to necessary tools, but it's on you to make something with those tools. And starting out, you don't know anyone, and no one knows you. 

My friend, she told me, "...When you feel like giving up- that's when you need to keep going... it will get better..." Which actually made me smirk a bit in my head, because Kace has a piece of wall art she made that says, "When your going through hell, keep going!" It just never dawned on me how apt that was to my current path.

This thought runs through my head every day, because everyday I question myself and what I'm doing. Everyday I wonder if I'm doing enough, or exploring enough venues to promote ME. I like to think sometimes yes, and often times no, perhaps not. Yikes! this may make me sound weak to any potential clients out there reading this! Beware the new guy he doubts what he's doing!! I'm just an honest guy who owns up to to his insecurities, yes I have them, and don't mind putting them out there for the world to see. Truth is, I think it's kind of human nature, and I doubt I'm the first one in real estate or any other small or large business to doubt what they're doing.

Those closest know that being new can take it's toll on you, but it's that security blanket of support you get from people that believe in you. When you are down, having a bad day, nothing seems like it's going your way; it's the close ones that come out and pick you up, like a coach at the end of the 4th quarter, and give you the strength to keep going. That's what life's all about right? Not just getting through it, but getting through it with others. Otherwise what's the point of the wins? If no one is there to celebrate them with? I'm happy to say I have support, and that keeps me going!

Now if you will excuse the somber tone of tonight's rambling, I will end with a quip from a recent experience I had that may amuse! 

Recently I was taking a client to see some homes that may be of interest in his search. We arrived at one listing and as I was reaching to unlock the lock box, the front door swung open, and the homeowner was there! Cordially we were invited in, and the homeowner proceeded to sit back down on his couch... and watch as we (strangers) perused through his house! I don't know if you are familiar with the home selling and buying experience, and maybe it's just me, but the whole time we were exploring the house, my client and I were wondering "WHY IS THIS GUY WATCHING US?!" How awkward! So I don't have a LOT of experience, but I have a little experience with showings, and during showings potential buyers walk through a house and are BRUTALLY honest about what they are finding. You can't comment that the dolls in the guest room are creepy as hell, when the owner is fifteen feet away! As you're walking out, the last thing you want to hear is "So you want to buy it? What do you think?" Gee no pressure there! I'm surely not an expert, but I'm pretty sure the way to get your home sold is NOT to put a potential buyer on the spot like that! What I can say- QUICKEST. SHOWING. EVER.

Thanks for reading!

...Start with one step and however small, first step is hardest of all...

These are the words that begin my favorite song, You Might Die Trying by the Dave Matthews Band. I've used this song for motivation for a long time. And since I feel awesome for figuring out how to embed a video into a blog, I thought I'd share a video!

Just like any new job, a real estate agent also gets interviewed as well. What you thought we all worked for ourselves and just went about selling houses on our own? Nope new real estate agents work under a broker/brokerage. I say under instead of for, because we are not working FOR that broker or brokerage, indeed we are independent contractors. We work UNDER a broker as once we are newly licensed and have just enough knowledge to be dangerous, it is the broker's job to tame us, mold us, teach us, and keep us out of trouble with the Real Estate Commission! And in turn for being our guide we as fledgling real estate agents share our earnings with those noble brokers.
And just like any job, one of the first questions asked of you- "Why do you want to work in Real Estate?" and just like any job in any industry in the world you are thinking-
  'Well I need to make money, and maybe provide for my family, pay a few bills, and I'd like to buy a Lamborghini some day...'
but what you say is something more along the lines of what they teach you in high school or college-
"Well I'm greatly fascinated by {insert industry here}, and I am looking for a career that both challenges me and offers me the opportunity for success and upward movement...blah blah blah..."
So of course I was asked this question, but for me, this was the first time I've not had to exaggerate my answer or BS it. I was finally interviewing to work in a field I genuinely have a passion for.

I remember growing up playing the game of Life. In that game you get married, pop a few blue or pink stick figures in the family station wagon (does anyone buy station wagons anymore?) and then you proceed to pick a career out of a deck of six or seven careers. (Just think you have six or seven options of what to be when you grow up... like something out of the Hunger Games or Divergent!) I remember I used to get excited when  I would draw the Real Estate Agent card... it fascinated me even then!
Fast forward a few years then to a small, but influential television show - Extreme Makeover Home Edition with host Ty Pennington and crew. Each week they would drive around the country and help folks down on their luck for one reason or another. They would take the most dilapidated homes, level them, and like a phoenix rising from the ashes, build something new and great where sadness once stood. Every week you would watch the tears streaming down the faces of the affected family. And each week you would take a tour of the family's new digs! I remember not only watching with fascination as what was built in place, but I was loving how Ty figured out how to give a family a new home to grow in. (I even once attempted to get a job as part of the show's crew... sadly I wasn't an experienced producer, crew member, or of any means to go on the road!)

In more recent years I confess to an addiction to HGTV. Aside from the Food Network, is there any more addicting television? Shows like Property Brothers, Love it or List It, House Hunters, and more they have this innate ability to draw you in, and before you know it six hours have passed and you are now as frustrated as the real estate agents on the show that a person refused a house because the dining room was pink instead of yellow! I've logged so many hours watching this type of television and all but drool at the possibility of existing in that world. That is how I knew this was a career path for me. I loved watching real estate agents show folks exactly 3 homes and one of them ending up the home of the buyers dreams! (Cause that's exactly how it works right?!) I wanted to help people find homes too! (Maybe one day I can advance to being a studly Property Brother that both helps find a home AND renovates it too! ANNNDD it wouldn't be so bad to have so many female adorers!

So I was able to answer this question honestly for the first time in my life in a job interview. Yes all you career HR people, I did tweak my response to be a little less about the fact that I watch FAR too much television, and a little more about my desire to help others! At the end of the day it was a world I knew I had to be a part of, and a world Lauren and Katelyn kept pushing me towards. Glad I finally listened! The first step that was hardest of all? Leaving the world of solid paychecks coming in regularly and entering a world of "WHOA WHEN AM I GETTING PAID AGAIN?!?!?!!?"
The truth is- I love what I do now! And I eagerly await whats in store.
Thank you again for reading! See ya soon!

Here we go!

Welcome one and all to my first, in what I hope will be, blog about my adventures and insights into the world of Real Estate. So first a little about me- working in Real Estate is something I've always wanted to do, but until recently was too afraid to take the plunge. It was a risk, and I've never been a risk-taker. Or more precisely I was never in a position to take a risk! I was born and raised right here in Mechanicsburg, PA (so what better place to focus my attention?).
 For the past five years I worked in the Swimming Pool industry as a store manager for the largest pool supply retailer in the country. This is where I learned to come out of my 'shell' so to speak. I used to be quite a shy and introverted person. That doesn't work well when you're the store manager of a retail chain. Indeed I had to be the front line with customers, both happy... and not so happy alike. While I enjoyed being a leader, I never truly felt like 'this is something I really want to do the rest of my life'. After a tumultuous summer season I decided once and for all that it's time to make the leap of faith and give Real Estate a try!

Let me take a quick moment now to give a shout out to my two biggest supporters, without which, I'd probably never have had the courage to try this.

Lauren and I on formal night on Carnival Pride

Katelyn and I at the Dave Matthews Band concert

There is of course my fiance Lauren, more commonly known as "LC" (and that is before that stupid MTV show!). I love this girl tremendously- She is the grounding force in my life and keeps our course steady. The truth is I wouldn't even be exploring Real Estate without her support and encouragement. I am truly a lucky man to have this amazingly hard working, intelligent, beautiful and loving woman in my life! I would more than likely be adrift without her and she doesn't hear these things enough... So LAUREN read this! I get points right?!

Then there is Katelyn, or "KC", or more recently just "Kace". My best friend, Lauren's younger sister, and another true blue supporter. A brilliant young lady in her own right! Very hard working, smart, spunky, and always has an idea for our next vacation, holiday meal, or weekend adventure. She is without a doubt my partner in crime! (I'm pretty sure we will be the cause someday when Lauren gets grey hairs!)<--- Not that that will EVER happen (;O)

I wanted to mention these to lovely ladies because I will undoubtedly talk about them in future blogs as I invite you into my world. And they mean the world to me! 

So let me tell you what's in store for the coming weeks! I'm not going to write a blog in a stiff professional manner, I'm not going to fill it with boring statistics and facts about real estate that the average person probably won't care about. This will be a look at the life of a new real estate agent. It will include snippets of my life outside of real estate and my adventures and insights as an agent! So as the post says.... Here we go!