What was up for 2014

 2014 Newark Office,
NUMBER 8 in the Nation for Coldwell Banker medium size offices..
Realtor of  the Year for Licking County Board of Realtors
President Licking County Board

What awards and accolades will the office get this year?
The new agents that joined the office are Second in production for central Ohio.
We have already surpassed closings for 2103...the list can go on.

The above is all for last year, 2014.  What will We do, You do, in the new year, 2015?
What goals or accomplishments will you do in 2015? 
More personal contact with your sphere?
Plan your day, week, month or the whole year?

Sales of any item is not really that hard. These points will work for anything you wish to sell.
1. Treat everyone like a Customer.
2. Call people back in a timely matter
3. Do what you say you will do and nothing less.

Remember a Buyer or Seller's motivation changes Everyday.

Wishing all of you a very Productive, Satisfying 2015

Icy Hot..

With wind chills of 25 BELOW zero, the phone still rings for a customer either wanting to BUY or SELL a home.




The market forcasts for 2014 are all looking good.

 KCM (http://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com)  is reporting

 

First Time Buyers..4.48million NEW households in the next 3 years. The Millenials will be moving out of Mom and Dads house..

 

Move Up Buyers ..Zillow is repoting that home equity has increased by 1.9 Trillion dollars in 2013.

this is an increase of 7.9% in the last 12 months. With pent up demand, move up properties will be in high demand.

 

Immigrant Buyers..with immigration reform, if this does get passed, these new buyers coming into the housing market would increase demand for housing and increase residential construction by $68 billion every year for the next 20 years.

 

There it is..it's ICY outside on this January afternoon, but things are just starting to HEAT UP.



Lucky 13..???



Lucky 13....

Could you say "Lucky 12"??

When your pages were blank a year ago,  did you have any ideas what your book was going to read??

Right now.. 1-2-2013, we have just filled the first 2 pages of our book.



My book for 2012 was one of sheer joy and great heartache. 

The joy of seeing our agents succeeding beyond their expectations..

The joy of having new and experienced Real Estate agents join CBKT and be a part of our culture.  The joys of competing in the market place with talented and Ethical agents.. The joy they bring me everyday with the opportunity to help them and coach them.

Joys of helping Big Brother/Big Sister, United Way, the YES Club, our local Licking County Food Pantry with may donations from our office

The joy from helping our local Licking County Board of Realtors. Professionally my pages were very satisfying and fulfilling.

Personally.. the joys of everyday life are really worth getting out of bed for me.  My biggest joy is always Debe.. when we are together.. my book is complete.

The great joy of playing my music with 2 different bands. There is a magic that happens on stage when all the pieces come together.

The joy of buying and downsizing to a condo for the later years of our lives.

The sad chapters??? Not many.. June was especially tough as we had to put our dog ( Bucky) to sleep. That is something No One should have to go through, but for every pet lover, that day will come. 

We then decided to get another dog through a rescue. (Bo). With many known and some unknown issues with him, 2 months after we brought him home..Debe and I had to give him back to the owner. It feels as if we lost 2 pets.

2013.. may have a chapter for a new dog at our household??

The pages will be written, the chapters will be filled.

365 pages.....12 chapters..  we are now on page 2..

I hope your "book" turns out just the way you had it planned.

We Won the LOTTERY...the DOG lottery

Happy Hour with my Boy..

Many friends say that Bucky won the LOTTERY, when he found us.. Debe (my wife) and I say, WE won the lottery when we rescued him from the Cocker Spaniel Rescue..

We had raised a wonderful liver and white Springer Spaniel  named BUCK. As all dogs do.. he was getting older and with failing health.. we eventually had to say Goodbye..

 I remember saying  "I will never go thru the anguish and hurt of putting another dog to sleep".
 That was it.. we are not getting another dog.. Years pass and now our Cat is getting old.. failing health.. You know the drilll. same ending.. same emotions!! :( Tried a rescue facility for another Cat.  Health problems from the beginning.. Medvet.. and now.. here we are again.  another life or death decision..I am thinking NEVER AGAIN for ANY kind of animal.  Debe thinks maybe we should try a DOG again....I am not so sure.
With an empty house to come home to..I walk in and on the kitchen table is a print out..A print out of a DOG!!!  This DOG had the same markings on his face as our Old Springer...(only difference.. Black and White)   This dogs Name was BUCKY!!!   oh no.. and the contact number was central Ohio..oh no again!!

Staring back at me was a picture of our new Bucky..I was not too sure at the time, till Debe says look at all the similarities... the Face, the Name and the location...Its a gift from GOD!! 

We bring him home..and our first visit to our Vet..."Nice dog but WHY did you get this one??" The medical sheet on Bucky was a mile long.. Our vet knew we would be visitng Many times.. Not sure, but I think he went out and bought a new truck the next day!! haha 
Ear infections monthly, skin issues always, you name it..we were at the Vet monthly. For the last 7 years, Bucky was with us always. We met more dog loving people having him by our side, more small kids wanting to pet him....To all of you, I want to say Thank You.. You made our day and Bucky's as well.

It has been a week now since he left our home. You never quite get over putting a dog to sleep.. having to make that decision..What you do, is remember the Wonderful times we had.  With BUCKY... those times were MANY.. Yes  WE WON the LOTTERY!!! the DOG RESCUE LOTTERY

FRAMPTON'S in the HOUSE!!!!!

    The excitement was building with every step. Getting close to the great Midland Theater in Newark Ohio. Where's our seats? Whats the stage set up? What's the drum set look like? Will Peter be as good as he was 36 years ago??
A guy was talking about buying CD's after the show.. Big deal.. Everyone sells CD's after a show. Not like this though.. We were recording the whole show...the whole 3 HOUR show and everyone tonight is going to be a part of it.. Oh yea!! This is gonna be fun!!

Peter and his band started the night off right with  "Something's Happening"..  from Frampton Comes Alive. Rumors and web messages said that we will hear the whole Comes Alive album. The night has started.
 I get a text.. "Is the show really 3 hours long??   Yes it is, I replied with a big smile on my face..

Going into the funky groove "Doobie Wah"  Long time friend and Bass player Stanley Sheldon with drummer Dan Wojciechowski traded chops, laying a solid foundation for the star of the night.
Peter then brings down the tone with some smooth riffs on his Les Paul.
He then pulls out his best friend  (missing for 31 years from a plane crash in Venezuela) his beautiful 54 Gibson Les Paul..(guitars age like a fine wine)   Peter eases into "Lines on My Face"

Frampton then played songs from his storied past and we loved the songs from his 2007 Grammy award winning "Fingerprints".  Even some Humble Pie for the early fans!! Loved this..

This was the theme for the night. Playing with his crowd and teasing his fans.
His voice was as good as ever, and his fingers were flying over the fretboard.
Rob Arthur (Keyboards Vocals), Adam Lester (Guitar, Vocals) held their own. They knew when to let loose and when to hold back and let Peter loose.

First seeing Frampton with Humble Pie, in the early 70's and then 1976 with "Frampton Comes Alive', I admired his guitar playing, but I never put him in my "Top Ten" list. After last night Peter has moved up to number 5 or 6.  The licks and the sounds coming out that Les Paul were heavenly..
Shows done...don't forget the CD's. Yes. many of us were waiting.  What a night, what a show.

Peter mentioned early on he loved the theater and Newark was a "sleeper" town for him.
He was IN the HOUSE Tuesday night, and says he will be "IN the HOUSE" again.
Yes I'll be there and I know you will be too.

Jeffrey is the manager of the local Coldwell Banker King Thompson office. He has been playing drums professionally for 45 plus years. Currently a member of Columbus band "Old School" and locally with " The Mill Dam Jam Band"

2012 Starts with A BANG!!

The first month of 2012 is done. 10:19pm.. The market is hot, the office is hot!! My very good friend Scott Walters joined our office. Jenny Cannon from the same office..another good agent and person joined as well.
The newer agents are getting the hang of this business. They are coming on stronger each day.
This is a great bunch of HARD WORKING agents.

For me???  This month has flown by. Very fortunate to being playing my drums with some very talented musicians. I played out twice this month, once with "OLD SCHOOL" the other with "THE MILL DAM JAM BAND"  sad to say the night at the PUB was the last. The PUB has gone into foreclosure and now up for Sherrifs auction.  After playing there for over a year, you start to look forward to seeing the regulars,the musicians who came to JAM, the bartenders, the manager.  These are people through out life travels that come in and then they are gone. Some time at a later date.. you wonder what ever happened to that guitar player, bartender.. customer...?? Will you ever see them again??
Hopefully our paths will meet one more time.

This is much the way of life of BANDS. You make magic on the Stage..have a few beers., then come back and do it again.. You hope you play again and again and again..but that rarely works out.
Life gets in the way?
We all have met some great people in our travels. I just hope we all can  meet again.

Labor of Love?? What is Labor Day, 2011

Labor Day would be Happier with Less Unemployment. -
My wife and I feel blessed every day we have a job to go to, but we also know that the job could end any day. We both work in the Housing industry, her in the construction side, myself in the Real Estate selling side.
With many people out of work...Unemployment checks coming to an end.. many with no health insurance.. What does, Labor Day mean to these folks?  Is it a day to rejoice with cookouts, family gatherings??. To some I am sure it is one more day that Corporate America will not get back with them on their job search.
Hopefully by this time next year.. we will have some normalcy in the work force. 
Below is a great article by Michael Shearer
Editor of the "The Advocate" about Labor Day... 2011   

http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20110904/OPINION01/109040305/Labor-Day-would-happier-less-unemploymen

Cymbals Look Like Gold

With the price of gold now over $1600,,, last night I polished my very old and very nice Zildjian cymbals. I have entered a drumset competition @ Sam Ash music here in Columbus Oh. We play tonight (7/20) and compete against 7 drummers for the store contest winner.

I consider myself a Professional so I want my equipment in top shape.. After I polished all my cymbals.. I stood back to admire my completed task... Wow,, look at the shine.. They look like "Plates of Gold"

These Cymbals have actually have made me lots of "gold" in the last 40+ years of playing music.
My set consists of these  Zildjian Cymbals
                                       22"   Med Ride
                                       18"   Med Thin Crash
                                       18"   Med Crash
                                       12"   Jazz Hi Hat

Tonight I hope they help me "Bring Home the Gold"

This Memorial Day..

It seems like every time I turn around, something of significance is happening, some good….some not so good.

The Floods of the Mississippi, Tornadoes everywhere, Rains in the Midwest, Higher gas Prices…what’s next??

When I look around at us and Licking County,,,
I feel we are really pretty fortunate..

Our market is not really that bad… we still have homes to sell… unlike some of the towns that have been

damaged with the storms etc.. We still have good qualified buyers,

We have a great bunch of agents and staff at this office, and we are selling homes..

I saw a piece on the news about Veterans coming back from Iraq. Both men came back from Lima Company. One is now

working with Pat Tiberi, helping Veterans coming back to Ohio.  The other gentleman ended up at the bars and now in prison.

Same war… same Company.. completely different endings…. We will never know why one man took one path and one took the other path.

All of our paths have brought us together here at Coldwell Banker King Thompson.  I for one am glad I made the decision I made..I hope you feel the same way..We are fortunate to have choices in America…We have choices to make everyday…whatever choice you make.. I hope it is the right choice..

This weekend. Salute the American Flag,,,, Hug your Spouse.. your kids…. your best friend… holy smokes… Hug everyone you see!! J

And please..remember our Armed Forces, present and past…

 

,

5 Reasons You Should Consider Selling Now

You know.. I have thought about putting my house on the market... but I am not really ready to move.. I like a spot for my MGBGT, a place to play my drums that won't bother the neighbors. A couple of acres to walk with my wife and the dog... Other things say I should sell now.. What's your reasons TOO or NOT to sell this year... maybe this article from KCM will help..
5 Reasons You Should Consider Selling Now

Manager FUN!!!!

A good friend wrote about stress in Real Estate and included some very nice statements about me. I do have alot of fun with my job!!

Open the link and see what he says. Good stuff

Anderson Layman's Blog: In praise of good managers.................: "Jeffrey Barrett manages the Newark office of Coldwell Banker King Thompson, one of the stronger offices for one of the strong..."

CHARITY,BENEFIT, DONATION

What do these 3 words mean to you?? Right now you see these words many times a day. Seems like everyone needs 1 of the three. Haiti is in the news, Foreclosures and Bankruptcies are headlines. States running out of money, Jobs leaving Ohio.

But with all the gloom mentioned above there is always just the opposite going on at a location near you.

The 3 pictures are of people coming together to help. To have the chance to maybe change a life, change a thought, change an idea, hopefully for the better.

The left picture is of myself and a young man. The 2 of us are helping serve Christmas Dinners at a local Elks Club in Newark. The young man could have stayed home to play with all the toys and games he received from Santa that morning. Instead he made my Christmas day letting me work beside him. That day with many volunteers we served over 500 meals.

This past weekend. I was a part of 2 different programs at 2 different churches.

Church of Christ at Alexandria, ( where I am a member) had our annual "Wild Game Feast". Folks from all walks of life can bring in their, Deer, Turkey, Fish, Birds and whatever they may have hunted.

Bring their mounts in to show and the best part is the wonderful feast of Wild Game and all the side dishes and desserts that accompanies a Church meal. When I had to leave we were seating over 150 attendees for "the feast". This is a community outreach project, this being our 5th year. The donations gathered went towards our mission affiliation in Haiti.

The "CABARET"!!! I left the feast early to get to the other "BENEFIT" this weekend.

The First Presbyterian Church of Granville had a 2 night Cabaret production. I was invited to be a part of this show when their regular drummer was already booked.

The show was a mixture of Broadway Tunes, Elvis, Dinner Club acts, and maybe some vaudeville thrown in too!

We had 2 sold out shows and I, had the opportunity to play with some very talented musicians and vocalists. A total of over 160+ came to see this well planned production. The money raised from this show is going to Haiti and to a very musically talented young man for an upgraded instrument.

The feeling of accomplishment, exhilaration, uphoria! You know you have done something good for somebody. Somebody that needs and appreciates what you have given them.

Whether you choose to "Pay Forward" or choose to pay "Catch Up". It is never to late to help with a CHARITY, BENEFIT, DONATION, I know someone will appreciate it!

New Agents, New Ideas, New Energy

New Agents,

I always love the energy and the excitement of a new agent into our office. Whether they are NEW to the business or ESTABLISHED in the "Real Estate" industry.

New agents always bring a fresh set of eyes. They come from all walks of life. Some from a sales background, some from a corporate background, and some are starting to work for their first time!!

Some have young children, some have children that are now out on their own. All the agents like the freedom of a sales environment. You make your own schedule. You can work as much or as little as you need. With todays technology, you can work at any time of the day or night.

From top Left to Right

Laurie Bath Licensed in 2004

Laura Muir Licensed in 2003

Vanessa Caplinger Licensed in 2009

Susan Herriott Licensed in 2009

We have 38 Top Real Estate Professionals here at Coldwell Banker King Thompson.

Over 400 years of real estate experience.

Who YOU gonna Call??? I thought so!!

The Party is NOT over!!

This may seem a little late! Not really. Looking out the window this morning, all the leaves are off the trees, winter's around the corner. My thoughts drift back to the summer.

And of course I remember "THE PARTY".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzEtSRawKOk

But you know, 3 months ago we were not sure how long the Tax Credit would last.Not sure how the economy and the job market would fare. I can't say all that is doing much better, I do know that Coldwell Banker in Newark is doing very well. Closings have surpassed what we did all year for 2008. Average price is UP. I have new and experienced agents calling me for advice and maybe employment. Everyone is looking for answers, ideas!

Right now I can say that the Stimulus Plan will be extended and now for a larger audience than before.

Nope. The Parties not over, it's just getting started!!

Car Wash 2009

Who are these hot males washing cars? On a Timbit Tuesday they and others were out washing cars. I am cooking the "dogs" on the grill so they won't run out of energy. Along with food from all the agents, Everyone chipped in. Men, boys, women, girls.

Everyone got there car washed.

All in good fun. Lots of food, lots of water, lots of elbow grease. The winners of "Kickinit 2009"ended up with clean cars and we all ended up with full stomachs. Even though I dropped a few "dogs " on the ground!

You say Tomatoe, I say Tomato

Here we are, Thursday before Memorial day weekend! What a spring!! Will summer be just as busy? Will you be doing your marketing and your systems the same way as the last 3-4 months, or are you going to change up a few things.

Today's Columbus Dispatch

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/05/21/AFFORDABLE.ART_ART_05-21-09_A8_6EDU43C.html?sid=101

this is a GREAT article about how affordable OHIO housing really is. Jerry White of Coldwell Banker King Thompson has been quoted in the article. I have to believe that NEWARK is very affordable.

Coldwell Banker King Thompson is going GREEN! Most of our Tomato plants are gone.

250 plants WOW!! How many Tomatoes is that???

We will will never know the exact count. What we do know is our best clients will be thinking us every time they walk in their garden. Watch for more crazy ideas as we go through the year. You all know I love crazy!!

This weekend I hope all of us take sometime to reflect and pause about what this weekend really means. My Grandmother always calls it "decoration day". It always makes me think for a second when she first says it. I am used to saying "Memorial Day". I know as I am writing this she has the flowers ready to "decorate" the grave sites of our family. Do you decorate? Just curious.

Have a SAFE and WONDERFUL weekend.

WHAT KIND of a MESS are WE IN??????

I was looking through MSN and noticed this article. From the picture you would naturally think this may be from one of the tornadoes that hit the Midwest the last couple of days! No!! This is a scene from California. A development in California. A Texas bank that had the loans on the property, (Guaranty Bank of Austin) decided to tear down the partially completed homes instead of either finishing the homes, OR, auction them off or something besides tearing them down! I have attached the video below. Check it out.
Tell me, How did we get to this???

http://online.wsj.com/video/bank-decides-to-demolish-new-homes/509981D0-7AAF-4A29-AE46-A490D7FE2A93.html



KICKIN IT 2009
The contest is done! The winners were announced!! BLUE TEAM Congratulations!! 1371 Points from both teams!! WOW !!! Many prizes, and a car wash is coming. All of you are very special and a great team of REALTORS!! All of you worked very hard. I am not sure what to do next. It will be a while before we try again.

Katie Richards, a long time agent has joined us at Coldwell Banker King Thompson. We are glad to see her walk in the door. I know all of you will make her feel welcome.
This week we have the FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESS C.E class on Wednesday. Get registered as soon as possible.

Thanks Again!

KICKIN IT 2009 WOW!!!!

April Showers!! That was my last headline. Right now it's a sunny beautiful Saturday morning, the last weekend before the contest ENDS! I look out the window and the daffodils are blooming, our crab apple tress are covered with white blooms, and a male pheasant just walked past the front window in all his lovely plumage!! IT is OFFICIALLY spring!

As of the latest count, in our KICKIN IT 2009 contest! There were 2 points difference between the 2 teams! You folks have been AMAZING!! All of your hard work has put the Newark/Granville, Coldwell Banker King Thompson office on the map. I hear the higher ups talk about this contest quite frequently. This hard work will pay off down the road!!

WINNERS! WINNERS!! WINNERS!!!
That is what we have in our office. Tuesday we had a wonderful turnout at the Licking County Board of Realtors Awards banquet. We had 3 of our own agents get awards this year.

Our Rising Star LARRY FORTH received his 1 MILLION dollar award!!
Two of the HEAVY HITTERS of the office received the 10 MILLION dollar award!!
Our own HUGH PRICE and ANDREW GUANCIALE!! Congratulations to all of you!!!

Many of you attended the class that PATRICK GUANCIALE instructed on our new marketing piece PROREALTOUR!! Patrick, you made it look so easy and it is. Get in there and try it yourself. If you need any help let me know and we can work through it together. We had a great turnout and MR. HUGH PRICE MAKESADIFFERENCE!! Thank you for the pizza.
I want to see everyone registered and those sign riders everywhere!! :)

We have a couple of cool things coming up.
TIMBIT TUESDAY @ 9:00 We will do a TOUR so get your home set up. And I will have a NEW AGENT class after the tour.
May 15 is the FACEBOOK for BUSINESS CLASS. 3 hours of CE FREE!!!
Team Captains, you have 6 days left. This is really close. Good luck to both TEAMS!!

April Showers

Seems like it has been forever for me to say something on our Blog. Every time I think of an item to talk about I get distracted.
The last couple of weeks has been a few changes for Coldwell Banker King Thompson agents and staff alike.
New Agents Janene Hartman and Kelly Frey have come home to CBKT. We are all happy they're back. Welcome Home Ladies!!
Tuesday we rolled out the ProRealtours for all of our listings. This is a great marketing idea for our houses. Each house will have it's own website that can be accessed by your cell phone. When you enter the web address you will be sitting in front of the house and see a video tour of the home on you cell!! Is this cool??? I wish we had this when I was selling!! :)


The new CBKT Sunday morning TV show is being reformatted for more pictures and a more affordable price for all the agents.
Sean Carpenter came out to see us Tuesday afternoon and taught us the way to make a NICE "Electronic Listing Presentation" on your laptop. I have all the info if you could not attend.


We have also started Direct Deposit , for all the agents. Ask Karen or myself on how to get signed up for that.
This company and this office is always evolving. Never standing in one spot for too long. We are always looking forward to help you close more sales. Are you always evolving or you standing in place? If your in one spot, standing in place, come see me!! Maybe the 2 of us together can change that.

The Blue Team!! The WHITE Team!! Kickinit 2009
There is some competition going on!! This race is really, very close!! Everyone of you are doing a FABULOUS job. Keep up the fun!! Someone is getting their car washed soon!!

A friend sent me this. It's pretty touching!! Says a lot about the kind of person we all need to be. Especially in the market we are in.

Check it out http://vodpod.com/watch/1165857-walk-on-espn-video

Tuesday is TIMBIT Tuesday 9:00 be there.

Thursday 4-16 AHS Warranty will be bringing Lunch and a short meeting. Sign up at the fronnt desk.

Remember to get with me for coaching sessions next week.

2009 Home & Garden Show

The weekend is over, our display is put away for another time and place. We had 15 agents participate at the booth and lots of slips turned in for the "RCI Giveaway".
ALL the people associated with The BIA Home and Garden Show did a great job. I was happy they chose the Bryn Du Mansion for the location. It was a great spot!!
Debbie and Kim gave us a wonderful location for our display as well!!

I had some nice comments on our booth from some of the other exhibitors. I hope you were happy! I need to say Thank you to Christine and Larry for setting it up, and to Joanne for helping take it all down.

I had the chance to meet and greet many old friends and I made some new ones as well. How did you fare this weekend? Did you get some good prospects for your contact base? Did you meet the other exhibitors? Will they remember who you are? These kind of shows are not all about having a patron sign up for a drawing.
Did anyone try and recruit some of the other agents that you might have seen?? Maybe the ones working the LCBR booth? How about the builders that were present, did anyone approach them?? Always remember, "Everyone is a client". I hope to hear some good stories the upcoming week.

Our Blue Team/White Team contest is getting closer to the end and we have a battle going on between the 2 teams. Keep those points a comin'!!
I also have received a NEW contest from Corporate that starts Monday on listings, I will have more information on Tuesday.

Monday Mar 30 we have Script Training at 2:30 and 3:00 is New Agent Training. (this is for any agent started within the past 3 months) We will be discussing your Website Profile.
Many of you need to be there for this training.
Next Monday April 6 Sean Carpenter will be out to Newark to have training on "Electronic Listing Presentations". The New Albany office will come to attend as well. Should be fun!!

Timbit Tuesday is 9:00 and we have a few surprises for you!! :)))
See you all there.