The Unveiling of a New Year of Blogging!

Greetings Naples Real Estate Blog Fans!

We are nearly one week into the new year and I am trying to come up with some fresh ideas to increase activity on our blog! One thing which I am going to try to do this year is keep a "patterned pace" when posting. I've learned several tips from fellow bloggers, and more regular posting seems to be one of the keys to successful blogging. Keep in mind, when I began to blog 4 years ago, only 3% of the real estate population blogged. That percentage has increased substantially, but as of this writing, I only know of two other agents in my office, of over 80 agents, that blog. Of course, I'm not referring to the "micro-blogging" done on Facebook or TWITTER --I'm talking about a real, honest-to-goodness, consistent blogging! So, with all that being said, I am looking to my faithful followers for any ideas and content suggestions. My intention is to select a local Naples vendor or restaurant to feature every Monday. On Wednesdays I will feature one of The Harris-Peppe Team listings, upcoming open houses, recent price reductions or news and accomplishments of one of our team members. Then on Fridays, I will post about trends in Naples real estate, local statistics, links to news worthy articles, best buys, and other information that I believe will be both interesting and [hopefully] entertaining! I've even thought of maybe doing a monthly "Where in Naples Am I?" with a prize for the first follower to guess my location! Anyway, I am very excited to continue and improve my postings. Since 2007 I have blogged over 300 posts. It is very time consuming, but the results have been extraordinary, and the business we have gotten from this is excellent. Most of my audience isn't ready to buy right now, but I can't tell you how many emails and phone calls we get from folks who tell us that when they are ready to buy their dream home in Naples Florida, they would not consider working with any one else except The Naples Real Estate Blogger!

Thank you again for reading our blog. We wish you a very Happy New Year, and we look forward to hearing from you with any fun ideas and suggestions!

Sincerely,

The Naples Real Estate Blogger

2012 : The Year We Have All Been Waiting For...

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in...A pessimist stays up till midnight to make sure the old year leaves."

~Bill Vaughn

So, has there ever been another year written about as often as 2012? Of course, 1984 comes to mind...as does the new millennium. Ah yes, waiting for the clock to strike on December 31st, 1999 at 11:59 PM--I'm sure you remember where you were at that moment....ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one...Wasn't the world supposed to end then, too? But, the Twenty-12 phenomenon has crept beyond ones own imagination into the mainstream with impending fears of cataclysmic events that are predicted to change the world as we know it...Movies have been made [the disaster film made in 2009: 2102], scholars have studied Mayan history and culture [it's their calendar that many of the predictions are based upon], and New Age beliefs about galactic alignment are taking notice among even the less mystic-minded souls...Doomsday theories have spread like wildfire, especially with the use of Internet, Youtube...Dan Brown's book, The Lost Symbol...why even The History Channel aired a special series about "The Last Days on Earth" and "Nostradamus 2012". The Discover Channel also aired "2012 Apocalypse"...supposedly more evidence that earthquakes and volcanoes will throw us all into a black hole...just more doomsday hype?

What do you think all the hype is about? And, what do you think we should be taking seriously, or not so seriously? What are you planning to learn from all this sensationalism, and where do you intend to be on December 21st, 2012? I'm sure, if you are being honest, you've thought about this. For me? Well, I've seen Gregg Braden live, I've read his books...I'm interested in what he says and very open to his explanations. I've studied Mesoamerica prophecy, although not as in-depth as many, but enough to feel pretty comfortable about hosting Christmas Eve at my house again next year--

I believe this...Typically, in trying times, the greater the challenge the greater the lesson. An example; if you have ever spoken to someone who is a cancer survivor they will tell you that event changed their life forever...and almost always for the better---Difficulties teach us to prioritize. They teach us to remain calm during a storm. They teach us to live life to the fullest. They teach us to appreciate those things that we might overwise take for granted. They teach us that "this too shall pass..." They bring out the best in us that we might otherwise have never been called forth to dig as deep to find our inner strength...So, it's not necessarily the END OF THE WORLD, but rather the end of the world as we know it...from the smallest scale to the largest. And maybe, just maybe it will be a kinder, gentler world--now wouldn't that be wonderful! I believe everyday can be our "doomsday" or the "first day of the rest of our lives"...Only you get to decide.

Let's make 2012 the best year yet!

Thank you, and Happy New Year,

The Naples Real Estate Blogger

Happy New Year from NaplesRealEstate.com

A lot of folks were glad to see 2008 come to a close. We certainly had our share of economic challenges, but I always believe, life is easier to handle when you count your blessings instead of your woes. A special thanks right now to all those who helped bring joy and happiness into our lives. Both family and friends as well as the wonderful people we've met through our business contacts and networking! We feel so lucky to be selling real estate in Naples Florida! A year ago when I began this blog my intention was to post entries every few days. Looking back I have averaged just under 1.5 entries per week...not bad for a blogging novice. I've enjoyed the great emails and calls I have gotten in connection with both this blog as well as our website http://www.naplesrealestate.com/ We are presently in the process of creating our 3rd website which is just days away from being unveiled! It's an exciting time here at The Harris-Peppe Team! My blogging goal for 2009 is to post at least 3 X's per week...to continue my upbeat and positive outlook on the market and to create blog posts which are helpful and informative! Any and all ideas are considered and appreciated. If there's a topic you'd like me to write about, please let me know! ~Till next time, we wish you a very happy and healthy New Year!