It's all about the friends we make along the way...

Tonight Chip and I are having two of my friends from New Jersey over for dinner with their spouses. We sold each of them a home here in Naples and it is a wonderful treat for me to have the afternoon free to prepare a loving meal for them...We get so busy this time of year, it isn't often that I get to enjoy my kitchen (except for mac & cheese for the grand babies) and even less often that we get to entertain friends from "home" in our home. Watch out Naples, there will be a little bit of "jersey" spoken at the Harris Peppe house tonight!

~While grocery shopping today I ran into another customer turned friend (instead of a friend turned customer) at Fresh Market...She said, "It's nice to see you doing normal things Michele." I thought that was funny...Then the day before yesterday I ran into Marshall's to exchange a birthday gift and bumped into two other customers who are now friends...It's true, most of the important relationships that I have made over the years happened because of the real estate business...best friends, God-children, hmmmm...a wonderful husband! So, no matter what anyone tries to teach you about business, not just the real estate business, but ALL businesses...remember this: It is all about relationships...and the friends we make along the way!

~Have a nice evening everyone...I know I will.

Social Networking and Today's Real Estate Agent

If you think social networking is just a passing fad, think again...to all of you real estate agents out there still doing business the old-fashioned way, please take a few minutes to watch this VIDEO ...In fact, anyone in any business should take 4 minutes to watch this video! To those of you who have embraced social networking, more power to you! It is the future, whether we like it or not...

~

You say you don't have the time for social blogging? Well then, you need to figure out a way to find the time. This is not an easy transition: I've been blogging for nearly 3 years, and especially at this busy time of year it is tough to set aside the time necessary to create interesting posts. I go days between tweets and youtube downloads...I created a MySpace page over a year ago and never went back...I created three profiles on LinkedIn; one for me, one for Chip and one for the team...boy, that was overkill...now I'll be googling "ways to delete a LinkedIn and MySpace account"! LOL! I even Skype customers whenever possible rather than talking to them on the telephone! Oh yes, phones, well that's a whole other story...the Blackberry vs. the iphone debate continues...I'm due for a phone upgrade on the 12th and any feedback you can share will be greatly appreciated! One thing I would like to interject is: PLEASE stop texting while you're driving people!

~

In closing, I'd recommend that you pick and choose your social networks wisely...Talk to others who blog and tweet and get some tips...attend webinars on the subject every chance you get...it is amazing the amount of information there is out there...Lastly, but certainly not the least...This [real estate] is still and always will be a people business. Don't get so lost and caught up in technology that you forget to interact with your customers on a personal level...One of the classes I took taught me that for every 10 posts on Facebook, 9 should be non-business related...After all is said and done, people really don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

~

Till next time, remember, the sun is shining today in Naples Florida and we have some very pretty condos on the beach to sell...so call me! ...after you watch the video!

A Beautiful Sunset in Naples Florida

This is an un-retouched photograph of a beautiful sunset taken last night at The Moorings Private Beach in Naples Florida! You just gotta' love winter in paradise!

*click on photo for enlargement

Thank You!

Today's blood drive was a HUGE success!

I would like to personally thank the Naples Community Hospital Blood Center and Bloodmobile, the Downtown Naples Association, the donors from Merrill Lynch on 5th Avenue South, my fabulous friends who responded to my pleas and all the wonderful agents and staff here at Coldwell Banker Previews office that gave the gift of life today. We had a very successful drive which resulted in enough blood donated today to potentially save 72 lives!

~It is good, when at the end of the day, a person can look at themselves in the mirror and know that they made a difference in the world by taking the time to donate blood. A simple and safe procedure that only 3% of the 68% of qualified donors actually participate. My heart is overflowing with gratitude to those who took the time out of their busy schedules. Giving back to the community we serve is more than just good business...The quality of life in Naples depends on the generous support of those who live and work here. Donating blood takes less than 30 minutes and doesn't cost anything more than your time. Thank you so much!