Featuring an interview with Ken Schmidt, CEO, Coldwell Banker Schmidt Family of Companies
Perfect Day
Started out this beautiful day showing a 65 acre parcel near Benzonia. Toured my clients via snowmobile.
Then back to the office to write an offer on this parcel. Now I’m stopping at East Shore Market in Beulah for the worlds most perfect sandwich, the Judy. Then I’m on the way to Traverse City for a closing with a first time home buyer. Meanwhile we’ve got a mail out closing coming back on a luxury home in Crystal Downs, on Lake Michigan. Isn’t life grand?Sounds of the Season
Last night I went to pick up my son from a Christmas pageant rehearsal. Walking across a parking lot in the dark, the snow softened the light and the sounds around me. Yet faintly, in the distance. I could hear a snowmobile running, and from across the square the sound of voices and of a puck hitting the goal on the public skating rink.
Just one of the joys of a small town in the North woods as Christmas approaches.
Barn in snow
Saw this on the way back from a listing today, just thought it was pretty. No, it’s not for sale.
Quick Tutorial on reading a legal description
Ever wish you could decipher a legal description? Well, if the parcel is based on a standard sectional description, it’s fairly straightforward…or straightbackward as it were. A legal description essentially is worked out from back to front. So for the following description: The West ½ of the NE ¼ of the NW ¼ of Section 19, Town 24 North, Range 12 West. We would break it down as follows:
Section 19, T24N R14W That’s 640 acres
NW ¼ of above                                Takes us down to 160 acres
NE ¼ of above                                  Takes us down to 40 acres
W ½ of above                                   Takes us to 20 acres.
Good value in a great little resort town
7385 East Street Beulah MI 49617
This is, in my opinion, one heck of a deal. 3 BR cozy cottage style home in Beulah, creek in the back yard, fireplace, walk to Crystal Lake. Once was my Grandpa’s house, last I was in it was in good condition. At $65,000, it’s less than half the price of when it last sold in 2006.
7385 East Street Beulah MI 49617
Here’s a link to more details.
Listing courtesy Tim Reid, ReMax Bayshore Properties.
Winter arrives
Old man winter held off for a long time, but finally paid a visit this morning as I headed toward Lansing for meetings with the Michigan Association of Realtors. As I sit in my hotel room this evening, it is snowing heavily, which could make for an interesting drive home tomorrow morning.
Installing Association Director version 2.0
Tomorrow I go to Lansing to be oriented as the new District 2 Director for the Michigan Association of REALTORS®, then attend my first Board of Directors Meeting (technically I still won’t be a Director) and in the evening will be a reception where I’ll actually be installed. This is new ground for me. I’ve served my local association as Director, Treasurer and President as well as my current role as RPAC Chair, but I’m slightly ashamed to admit I’ve never even set foot in the MAR offices.
MAR Directors are elected by US Congressional Districts, so I’ll be representing Michigan’s Second Congressional District, which consists of  Benzie, Manistee, Wexford, Mason, Lake, Oceana, Newaygo, Muskegon, Ottawa, the northern part of Allegan and the northwest portion of Kent Counties. That’s a big freaking area, and it kind of makes me feel important to be quite honest. My home is in the very northern portion of the district, in Benzie County, so it’s a nice fit that The Coldwell Banker Schmidt Family of Companies (the brokerage I work for) has 11 offices spread throughout this district, which means I should be able to find a hot desk and a wifi connection wherever I may roam.
I’m walking into this new responsibility with a near complete lack of preconceived notions about what impact I will have. I think there’s a need and a demand for a younger generation to take a larger role in local, state and national Realtor associations, and I’m looking forward to that. If I have one concrete goal in starting down this path, it’s to get more of the brilliant, engaged young members that I’ve met involved in the direction of their industry. There is plenty of talent to draw from, and lots of desire, although our associations may not be built to fit the way my generation (I’m an X) and Gen Y want to be involved.
It’s always exciting to start a new journey, and while it doesn’t come without sacrifice (mostly to my sleep schedule) I’m very much looking forward to writing my next chapter.
Technology changes the way I do business
WPadmin, November 25th 2009 |I must be doing something right
While I was away to the National Association of Realtors meetings in San Diego last week, I got an email from my oldest son, who is 9, and in fourth grade.
The email said:
Here is my homework I had to do for the week. I had to write a paper about if I would like to life my life easy or with challenges.
Mom thought I did a good job.
And this is what he turned in:
I would like to have a life that offers challenges. First I’d like challenges that offer excitement in my life. Learning how to NASTAR race (1)  would be exciting and challenging. Also, I love tennis and if I work hard maybe I could play in the U.S Open. That would be challenging and exciting too.
In addition, I want challenges so I can be more successful in life. I would like to be challenged in school so I get better grades. This would give me the opportunity to receive scholarships to a good college.  This challenge would offer me a chance to get a high-quality job. I would also like to challenge myself to be stronger so I can play the sports I like with greater ability.
Third and last but not least, I like challenges because they make me feel good. It makes me feel good to know I finally completed something I worked really hard for. Also I know I might not complete every challenge in my life but if I try my best I’ll feel good. I know life’s going to be full of challenges, so why not take them!
(1) (note: he’s talking about ski racing, this is not a typo)
This kid constantly blows my mind. Â Little did he know he was writing his first blog post.
I’m truly blessed to have each one of my children, and the privilege of loving and guiding them through their childhood is the single greatest challenge and reward of my life.
