Yes But Which Half?   Yes But Which Half?  Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half                                                                                                            John Wanamaker   You may know of John Wanamaker as the Philadelphia merchant(1838 - 1922) or perhaps of the department store that once bore his name.  His quote on advertising is a long time favorite of mine.  It's as apropos for retail as it could be for real estate or any business.    The reason to advertise is as varied as those who own a business.  In any chosen field. To generate traffic and sales.  Attract new customers while retaining existing ones.  To introduce a new product.  You could add others as the reasons are plentiful.  We learn.  We m... 03/14/2019

 On The Sunny Side Of The Street    On The Sunny Side Of The Street  Grab Your Coat, Get Your Hat  Leave Your Worries On The Doorstep  Life Can Be So Sweet On The Sunny Side Of The Street   Dating back to the 1930s, this song composed by Jimmy McHugh with lyrics by Dorothy Fields may not be familiar to a lot of people but the song title came to me with the arrival of this morning's rain. It has a simple enough message.  It seems appropriate that on this rainy day my pondering leads to sunnier times.  An attitude can change that quickly.  From overcast to sunny.  At least in attitude.  A thought.  A suggestion or a note to oneself.   A different path.  Another direction.  The destination can remain the same.  But the attitude changes.  As simple as a change in location.  Try it.   See wh... 03/06/2019

  Pondering The Best Is Yet To Come   Pondering The Best Is Yet To Come It's March 1, 2019. The first day of the third month of the year.  Two months are history now, ten months to go until we welcome a new year.  And just like that 2020 will arrive.   And although it's difficult for some to think of today as being 2019, talk of the next year is already being discussed.  It happens each year it seems.  Without fail.  It seems like being present, living in "today" has given way to a yearning for different times.  For better days.  Of the past and even the future.  Is the unknown better than the status quo?   This pondering wasn't intended to be a post of a political nature.  Not at all.  And as I ponder, my mind does tend to wander and wonder  Thirty-one days this month.  Many days to ce... 03/01/2019

In Febuary of 2019, PFAR.org reported that an average list price for a home and a condo was $1,800,283 in January of 2019 higher 3.3% or from $1,742,725 in January of 2018; While, median listing price for a home and a condo was $1,100,000 in January of 2019, up 4.8% or from $1,050,000 January of 2018 in Pasadena, California.There were 495 active listing of homes and condos in January of 2019 jumped 43.5% or from 345 in January of 2018; While there were 3.2 months available inventory of homes and condos in January of 2019, rose 35.3% or 2.3 months of available inventory from January of 2018 in Pasadena, California.An average sales price for a home and a condo was $1,083,960 in January of 2019 declined 2.8% or from $1,114,993 in January of 2018; While, median sales price for a home and a ... 02/19/2019

 The Difference A Single Person Can Make   The Difference A Single Person Can Make     It seems that the issue between big versus small exists throughout life.  And in many industries.  Not just real estate. Regardless of the size of the organization, we understand the importance a particular person can often make.  A little, very little, personal background:  Prior to real estate I was in department store retailing.  I started out on the sales floor moving onto various positions over time.  It was a local store but with quite a large reach and a big presence.  Later when I entered real estate I worked  with a large but locally owned broker.  They were subsequently accquired by a nationally known firm which I had coincidentally joined about two years into my career.  I have never been a... 02/16/2019

  Raindrops Keep Falling  On My Head   Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head    It's another rainy day. Or it is scheduled to be.  Perhaps that was  yesterday. Maybe tomorrow.   It's all kind of running together for many it seems.  It's not like this hasn't happened before.  I remember previous rainy seasons.  It's rare but it's certainly not unknown.  I digress. Our most recent drought shortened quite a few memories it seems but we have experienced rain in the past.  Despite the cries of "Storm Watch" in the media, the predicted yet seldom truly anticipated slower-than-usual traffic along with the related stuff associated with anything less than our postcard-perfect sunny weather we manage as only Californians know how to comply.  This is evidenced by lots of complaining combined with ince... 02/13/2019

    That Memorable Moment  That Memorable Moment  I have been pondering.  Maybe more than usual.  And perhaps just as much as I typically ponder.   I don't keep track of such things.  No need for a "to do" list.   Things just happen as I ponder.  It's not like I relinquish taking charge of my thoughts or actions.  It's actually something more than that.  Not exacrly lost in thought but maybe that sums it up.   But it's kinda like that if I had to explain it.  Remember pondering in my view does not require explanation. It  is truly a "do anywhere, do anytime" type of activity.   I am not sure if it is something I can put into words but since this is a post with words I guess it is necessary.  Or maybe that's not true. You see I ponder.  To allow myself to think and reflect and ask myself... 02/11/2019

  Getting To The Finish Line      Getting To The Finish Line  That important moment.  But it's more than just a moment, isn't it?  The accumulation of many moments.  Leading to one magic moment.   Life Is A Journey. Not A Destination                                               Often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson If I'd had some set idea of a finish line,don't you think I would have crossed it years ago?          Bill Gates While the first quote may have originated in someone else's mind it is still appropriate today. As far as the second quote. I will leave it to more pondering which brought me to this point originally.  This photo of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA was taken by Michael Jacobs.   02/10/2019

  The Workaround    The Workaround.  We all know it. It's a common enough experience.  In Real Estate and in Real Life.   Even occasionally on this forum ActiveRain.  So many examples come to mind.  But there's a solution.  No need for cursing - though maybe that will help in some way. Take a step back and you may find an appropriate or an  even a better-than-imagined means of addressing this or any situation.  Some time away from the subject at hand has been known to help too.  Improvise if and as appropriate.  Change the recipe when it makes sense.  I have heard this works better for the more creative side of cooking rather than the more scientific baking.   Measure twice, cut once.  But I digress.  Ponder when you can.  And remember pondering is a do anytime and do anywhere kind of a... 02/05/2019

 Searching For Snake Oil  At Whole Foods Market   Searching For Snake Oil at Whole Foods.  A recent post by Nina Hollander informed us of the impact of ground hogs and its apparent influence on real estate trends.  Even the casual observer likely knows  there is no relation between the two--but go to and read Nina's post for more information on this timely subject.   Somehow in the course of commenting snake oil was mentioned by me along with the realiry of such product and its availability.  Hence I am searching for snake oil and since it is both elusive and likely exclusive--why not check Whole Foods Market?   I mean why not?  Elusive?  Exclusive?   Let me ponder.  This time along the aisles of Whole Foods Market.  I mean where else might I find snake oil?     The photo in this post w... 02/04/2019

  The Theory of Relativity  The Theory of Relativity.  I won't attempt to explain any of Albert Einstein's scientific theories.  Let others do that.  And likely more intelligently and perhaps more understandably too. But this Albert Einstein quote sums up things quite succinctly: Two things are infiinite:  the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe While abundant words are often used to sum up many of his theories, Einstein used just a handful or so to sum up something many of us have surmised for quite some time.    But I digress.  And, of course, that leads to some pondering. Why not?  I ponder about theories.  And connections.  Infinity.  The universe.  And beyond.  Way beyond.  Human supidity.  Is this an endless subject or merely a work in progress? And f... 02/02/2019

  On The First  On The First.   So, it's February 1, 2019.  Surprised?  Just another day in paradise?  The first day of the second month of the year - so many places to be and so many goals still to achieve.   And don't even mention those resolutions from a month ago.  You know the first day of the first month of the new year.  And definitely don't mention that gym bag resting on the back seat of the car either. I'll get to it, I promise...Tomorrow.  Speaking of the car, did I remember to call the dealer for that service appointment?   You know you can drive yourself crazy with the "have-to" things in life.  Deadlines and stuff.  The ever and always growing "to do" list doesn't ever seem to stop.  I mean EVER.   I am not recommending tossing it all and forgetting about the obligations y... 02/01/2019

  Channeling Rosemary Woods     Ahh, yes Rosemary Woods.  Many likely have no idea of the name Rosemary Woods.   It has been a long time since her name was a part of the daily news cycle.  Can you even imagine if the news surrounding Ms Woods were  occurring today?  Yikes!  Ms.Woods was the secretary of Richard Nixon from the time he was a member of Congress until his resignation as President.  For purposes of this post:  Her role came to the attention of the world for her role in the Watergate proceedings and the elimination of some eighteen or so mihutes of tape recording of information.  I don't know why I thought of Ms. Woods except I was pondering privacy.   Privacy as we know it today. On social media for example. And elsewhere in life. You know how certain things just kinda appea... 01/31/2019

 The Importance Of  A Pat On The Back   The importance Of A Pat On The Back   I'd say that the act is pretty important all things considered.   Maybe not the most important.  But certainly deserving of a consideration for a job well-done or even well--a job done--just because.   Jan Green wrote a recent post What Makes You Happy that I found rather inspiring and one that is relatively easy for any of us to do.   And you can do as needed or just when you think of it.  Why not today?  Or tomorrow?  Why not as a part of YOU?   Try it.   Be inspired. Do inspiring things.  Make inspiring things a part of you.   And while you are at it...you can ponder too.  There's inspiring things happening.  All around.   Photo taken by Michael Jacobs - saying thank you or giving a pat on the back need not... 01/26/2019

 Far From Tidy  Far From Tidy. Littering is not a good sign in my opinion.  Definitely not a good sign.  Recently I came across an advertisement from a home cleaning service.  Not the right message.    Recently, the single post card-sized "help available" ad was tossed on some lawns. Others were seen throughout the neighborhood.  I have seen the fairly attractive menu in different neighborhoods over the years.  This is the first time I recall seeing this particular distribution.   An effective message?  Not exactly.  Tidy as the name of the service?   Memorable?  Hlmm...not broom clean for sure and not memorable for any of the right reasons.  Remembering the name as the advertisement made its way to the recycling container? Yeah, right. So I pondered.   photo taken by Michael Jacobs of ... 01/25/2019

 It Is Okay To Quit     It is okay to quit.  What? Never quit. We have heard it often.  But is it correct?  Whether it's a job.  A class.  A relationship.  A bad habit.   Is it ever a good idea or a good plan to quit? How about those yearly resolutions that we often see--do we quit resolving to go to the gym on a regular basis for example?     Winners never quit and quitters never win                                                            - Vince Lombardi   There are seemingly countless quotes that discuss "never quitting" but what about the advice from others on the value of quitting.  I found some including this one:  If you never quit anything, you're going to have less time for the things that really matter                                                           - Eric Barker ... 01/24/2019

Capernaum A Movie  Review        Capernaum and Weltanschuung Capernaum And Weltanschuung may confuse some who see these two words together.  Quite different indeed.   Two words equally difficult to pronounce by some but any other similarities between the two end there.  Weltanschuung is fairly well-known by ActiveRain members and Capernaum is a movie playing in selected movie theaters across the country.   This post is a movie review of Capernaum but I have written posts in the past discussing Weltanschuung.   Capernaum is a foreign lmovie that has been touted as a possible best foreign country film nominee in many circles and in my opinion is the leading candidate of the films eligible although there are many who disagree with me.  Oh, well.  I'll survive.  Again.    I realize that mov... 01/21/2019

 Whether Conditions...        Whether Conditions. No, NOT weather conditions but what impacts your market, your livelihood and YOU.  Whether it be snow, hurricane or some other natural or not-so-natural occurrence things happen.   Whether it be weather or something else.  We know it. We experience it.  But I honestly believe that our attitude plays an important role maybe even the most important role if we look at the "big picture".  My career in real estate began in 1993.  I passed my California real estate licensing exam and almost immediately wildfires impacted some of the areas in my market(October of that same year).  The devastating Northridge earthquake of January 1994 followed not too long later.  This was on top of riots and a general unhappiness surrounding the economy that im... 01/20/2019

Your Goals. Your Priorities. My Role.   So it's January.  A new year.  And the first month, almost half over.  Goals. Priorities.  Maybe some resolutions too.  My role?  Where do I fit in? If at all.    First, I don't break resolutions these days.  I don't make them so setting up myself for failure in this task is avoided.  If you do participate, good luck.  Embrace it.  Live it. Be it. Ask yourself the importance of the "resolution".  Anyway, resolutions are not my "thing".  If you subscribe and are up to the task--well, again good for you.  Now my role in your resolutions is nill.  And as far as your goals or priorities it is to say the least limited.  Don't get me wrong. I can and will be supportive.  Advice maybe.   Suggestions perhaps.   But I think YOU are responsible for this.  N... 01/14/2019

      History Repeats Itself So history repeats itself.  We accept it as so at certain times.  On certain occassions.  And for many different reasons.  We can probably cite an example or two as well.  Even forgetfulness can be a part of this equation.  Other factors too.  It's definitely true in real life.  Obviously in real estate too. Repetitition. Repeating.  Repeating.  Repeating again.  Time and time again.  Over and over and then over.  One more time.  It is used for impact.  For emphasis.  And for emphasis. In the case of forgetfulness, it could be well err oh um, you know.  Is it effective?  Often we say it depends but is that true?  Of course, it depends.  Well, it's time to ponder some more.  Just because.   I mean if history can repeat itself.   Why not me?  And why not you? ... 01/13/2019