Charlottesville's Grand Illumination
I love Christmas! Every year I look forward to watching "Charlie Brown's Christmas Special", and "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" )(the original Dr. Suess edition).
I love to listen to Christmas music. We have a station here, that the day after Thanksgiving goes Christmas music 24/7, until New Year's. I love it all, from "The Little Drummer Boy" (my husband is a drummer, he plays a Tama set, for those that care) to "The Nutcracker Ballet"
Well, last night, we in Charlottesville, had our
"Grand Illumination" (you can watch it, too). I am so relieved that in the era of political correctness that we still have a Christmas Tree here. I get so irritated at the "Holiday Tree" and the "Winter Festival" correct speech.
We kick off the Yuletide season with a large gathering on the Downtown Mall, of hundreds of folk, ready to ooh, and aah the Lighting of the Christmas Tree. The retailers all along the Mall have their shops twinkling with greens, wreaths, lights, and cheer.
The "Grand Illumination" comes from a colonial (and English) tradition of placing candles in the windows of homes and buildings to celebrate special events. In Williamsburg they have the Grand Illumination ceremony complete with fireworks. We have never done that.
We stand around in anxious anticipation, and then the countdown from 10 starts. We hug, kiss and even jump for joy when those 16,000 lights come on. But just like home, things don't work as expected.
I have taken a picture of our glorious tree late this afternoon-that would be, not quite one day after the Grand Illumination.
Every year we think last year was better. I have discovered it is impossible to compete with the memory of a ghost past. Instead, I am going to accept, nothing is perfect, and enjoy the ride through this season! All what do you say-8000 lights........
New Construction, Home Inspection?
Many buyers do not realize how important it is to have a home inspection during the construction of a new home. They see no reason for it, since the County has been doing the building permit inspections, and many times the builder has a one year
warranty on the house. Many buyers feel it will be a waste of their money. If anything happens, the builder will come and take care of it. No big deal to them.
I explain that in my experience, the deficiency lists on new construction homes are generally longer, than those on the resales homes. Many times, the items noted on the report, are things the average homeowner will never know are wrong. I have seen duct work in the attic not connected to the vent on reports, this means your heat or air conditioning will go into the attic space. No back fill under the deck or porch, which allows water to sit against the foundation wall, not able to drain away, causing a wet basement or crawl space. Roof issues are fairly common as well, where flashing at the fireplace, or valleys of 2 slopes coming together, causing frequent problem areas.
On a purchase involving hundreds of thousands of dollars, a few hundred dollars for the home inspection can save you tremendous inconvenience and offers great peace of mind. Some purchasers choose to not have the inspection done until they have been in the house for about 10 months. This way the final repair work to be completed by the builder will include all the deficiencies a home inspector will find when they go to sell the house. Instead of them getting stuck making those repairs at the time they want to sell. The builder completes them prior to the end of the one year
warranty.
The worst case scenario did happen once. At the final
walk through, the builders representative had filled the large jacuzzi in the Master Bedroom (prior to our arrival). Everything was gorgeous, hardwood floors throughout the first and second floors. The jacuzzi was switched on and the water began to jet properly. Everyone was happy.
The builders representative opened the plug and the water drained, while we looked at the children's rooms upstairs. Going back downstairs we discovered that water was pouring through the ceiling on the main floor onto those gorgeous wood floors. It then passed through the ceiling of the basement onto the tile floor down there. Yes, all 3 floors experienced the water damage!
The plumber had forgotten to connect the drain to the pipe. It's the details that get you every time. Fortunately, these purchasers were able to stay in the house they were living in, the
extra 4 weeks it took the builder to get the repairs completed. Had there been an inspection this would have been discovered with minimal repairs necessary.
The inspectors that I use will on new construction go to the site 3-4 times, during the construction phase to ensure everything runs smoothly for the purchasers.
What's in a Name?
I was approached by a new Realtor in our Company last week, who is going to be getting her first website. She was considering using her name as the website's domain name.
I advised her to buy her name, as she would not want to become successful and have a competitor begin to use her name. The best thing for her to do for the website is come up with a domain name that will fit the target niche she is going to focus on.
Something that could apply to the target market, and be memorable to them. This way the business is not built on a person only, but has a presence and could be marketed when she is ready to retire. Would you like residual income?She had not even thought of that concept.
Returning to me after while, she had lost some of that new conquering attitude, I had given her, to exclaim, "all the good names are taken". My advice was to think outside the box, get more focused on your target, talk to them, see what matters to them.
I know you have been really distracted by the photo I uploaded to the blog.
This Company is located in Europe, and while it may not be a well received marketing ploy here, we must admit, it is catchy and memorable.
The business will not last though if there is no substance to the claim made. A good reputation is vital to success. I pride myself that I have a great reputation with my clients, and my fellow Realtors.
Fine Virginia Living could not be better said.
What I am Thankful For
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Holidays, and some years it is also my birthday (like next year). Gathering together with family and friends, remembering the blessings we have in our lives is important to me.
It is so easy to get caught up with the negatives of the news, our personal problems, and the stresses of daily life that we lose sight of the things that really matter to us. In the spirit of the Holiday, I want to share with you the things I am most thankful for.
- That Dave Wallace (a local Police Officer) returned home safely from his tour in Iraq. I appreciate the sacrifice of about 2 years of his life for our Country.
- The thrill I get almost daily, by being a part of the exciting chapter of selling family's homes.
- For a Husband who loves me and is such an encourager to me.
- For 5 Children who I love with all my heart.
- The incredible beauty of Charlottesville, Glorious!
- Bodo's Caesar Salad
Take a moment to ponder the things you are thankful for, it will help refresh your outlook on life.
Fox Cancels OJ Interview
I woke up this morning to the news that Fox has cancelled the 2 part interview planned focusing on OJ Simpson's new book If I Did It. I actually am glad that they have cancelled this. It makes me furious that he has been able to profit 3.5 million dollars with this new endeavor. I am comforted that so many people stood up and let their disgust resound loudly at the Fox Network. Whatever happened to
shunning, we the people have not forgotten it, and the media (Fox) has been reminded of it.
Why would they even consider this program? My opinion is they know we all believe he literally got away with murder and it was their attempt to bring some kind of back handed justice to the situation. Sugar coating the money he received, by dancing around the thought- it is for his children (which are Nicole's children too) and we all feel sorry for her , the children ,Ron Goldman, and both extended family's loss.
This is what I believe OJ Simpson should have written, If I Did it (Again) Here's What I Would Have Done to Avoid a Trial and Keep My Fortune Growing.
I hate that his NFL pension is untouchable, his estate is untouchable, and that he can profit from media pursuits of a story, on these tragic deaths. Why allow this man to continue to make impudent digs at the family's who suffered such great loss, and received no compensation, and no justice?
We the people stood up, and were heard. OJ should be silent.
Labels: Fox, OJ Simpson
