Canada -- Peace Bridge -- US Miracle On Ice Review:  Not many rivalries are better known than the US-Canadian rivalry in the sport of hockey.  Our two countries share the longest unguarded border in the world, but we are bitter rivals on the ice.  For the last ten days the world has been following the Olympics games in Vancouver and the hype leading up to last night's face-off of the Canadian hockey team and the US hockey team almost compared to last month's Super Bowl.   Not wanting to miss a minute the Yonkers planned their dinner around the game.  Fortunately our big screen TV can seen from the dining table across the family room. Just a little background:  My home town of Erie, PA is only two hours from Niagara Falls and the Canadian border via the aptly named the Peace Bridge.  The... 02/22/2010

Hubby's Pot Roast   Nothing surpasses the smell and taste of pot roast, the ultimate comfort food and Hubby is the master chef for this meal.  Start with an inexpensive cut of beef often called chuck roast.  For some reason the inexpensive cuts impart the best taste.  (Venison is also very tasty)   Braise the meat at high heat with a little oil in Dutch oven   Add low salt beef broth & several small onions   Optional seasonings:  sea salt, pepper, Worchestershire sauce   Roast in oven for two hours @ 325 Add carrots, potatoes and more small onions for last hour.     Some people like to thicken the broth at this point, but I don't.     Leftovers are wonderful, too. When I have to teach Real Estate pre-license classes on weekends, I ask Hubby to be in charge of dinner.  I love coming hom... 02/21/2010

"DC,  Maryland--still digging out from second storm"  . . . "Don't travel"  . . .  "Stay put" . . .  "Stay another day"    Family & friends urgently warned us not to attempt driving home. Our winter escape to the Atlantic Ocean lasted an extra day due to the east coast snow storm that buried Washington, DC, Maryland and New York.     2,700 round trip miles Daily walks on the beach, beautiful sunrises & sunsets. No alarm clocks             Northern Florida beach>>>>>  Nothing looked so good as the mailbox with our name on it.  Wednesday we waited out the snow storm at the home of friends in Virginia Beach where barely a trace of snow fell. We spent the day reading, playing cards and our host cooked another delectable meal.   I did spend time on ActiveRain while the others took naps.   Br... 02/12/2010

Are you ready for some  . . .  Real Estate fitness tips for thriving in today's Real Estate market? I am sure that you can name names of agents who are barely surviving.  Some agents spend their entire careers just above the poverty level while others quickly rocket to the top no matter what type of market exists.  Which type describes you? Even before I made mydecision to enter Real Estate I watched a friend, who became my role model, become a very successful agent in the early eighties.  Remember when interest rates were inching upward toward 18%.  Her secret: hard work and determination as well as understanding that no matter what is happening in the market there will always be people who need to buy and sell.  She told me that people are getting married  having babies changing or lo... 02/04/2010

  Selling the Value of You   Buyers ask:  "Why should I work exclusively with you?"  "I will call you if I want to look at something."   Sellers ask:   "Can't you reduce your fee?"  "Everyone else charges  ---%"       In a competitive Real Estate market where many agents compete for the same business,  how do I stand out from the crowd? How can a new agent compete with the Top Producers? Everyone has a webpage.  How can I make mine different?         What can I offer the consumer that no other agent can offer? Why do some drivers chose to drive a Cadillac rather than Yugo?    Why do women pay two, three or four times more for make-up products fromAnswer t Macy's rather than shop at Walmart?   Answer these questions and you will have the answer to the above question. Value of working wit... 01/29/2010

Let's Negotiate:  Negotiating Stumbling Blocks What are some of the most common stumbling blocks encountered when negotiating contracts on your clients behalf?  When you are negotiating with them for their business? Emotions   Unskilled negotiators       Passive negotiators   Inflated ego   Poor listening skills   Ignoring non-verbal clues   Focusing on differences   Undefined / unrealistic goals    Now that we have listed a few stumbling blocks let's brainstorm solutions to overcome them and put the deal together. Solutions for inflated egos:  Use the Win/Win style of negotiating  Don't win the battle only to lose the war.  We live in the community in which we work.   Solutions for unskilled negotiators:  Re-define the rules of negotiating.  Restate goals and timetable/  Sellers want t... 01/26/2010

WOW - - Make it happen, now   It's the little stuff that counts.  Just a few tips to get your clients to say WOW.   Return phone calls promptly.  Some calls need to be returned within minutes while others can be returned before the end of the day.   Add your personal touch.  Everyone wants to feel special so make sure each client knows you care.    Call past clients on Saturday morning when they are more likely to be home.  Better yet, stop by with fresh flowers or pasteries.   Quick response to e-mail does not mean just an automated template that is sent to everyone.  Once again add a personal note to let know you appreciate their business.  No one wants to feel like just another number.   Be unique.  Do what others in your area don't do.  Like answer your phone on Sunday morning or de... 01/18/2010

  Lead, Radon, Asbestos, Mold  .  .  . Sound Boring?   How boring can you get?    How much RISK can you handle? Picture yourself in a classroom with asbestos flooring, high radon level, and mold spores behind the drywall imported from China.  And don't drink from the drinking fountain--lead pipes.   Okay, now that I have your attention, let's talk about Risk Reduction for our clients, the buyers and sellers.        Join me:  As We Live and Breathe / Dealing with Lead, Radon, Asbestos and Mold Tuesday, January 19, 2010 1:30-5:00  Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate / Mary Yonkers, Instructor Three & half hours CE credit  (Pennsylvania) Three simple rules: Know the basics Know the experts Disclose early & often 01/17/2010

  Let's Negotiate . . . "NO" . . . "Don't You Understand NO?"   Are you easily detered by "NO"?  Do you work on a commission basis?   Do you represent sellers and buyers? Are you the best Negotiator for your buyers and sellers? When was the last time you practiced negotiating?     If you are like so many other Real Estate agents, negotiating skills weren't part of the job description when you first signed up to be an agent.  Real Estate agents like most Americans are not particularily fond of negotiating and therefore most are not very good at negotiating.  In fact many agents are rather poor negotiators. Would you like to be a better negotiator?   I had been in Real Estate for a few years before I attended my first seminar on Negotiating and what an eye-opener it was.  Many seminars, c... 01/17/2010

70% of the country is dealing with weather related issues.  Snow, ice, wind, frigid temperatures. Menace, curse, death grip or FUN.  Yes, FUN.  As kids we looked forward to snowy weather.  Reading Michelle Francis' post I chuckled thinking about the Red Flyer sled that entertained four kids for hours and hours each winter.  Then Irene Tron's post relayed details of the snowy forecast for Indiana and earlier Diane Rice was dreading the cold temps heading toward Chicago. Well, back to being a kid and enjoying winter weather.    I think I will just head out to the woods.   January 2       Trout Run   What a difference a day makes                              January 3    Erie, PA is halfway between Cleveland and Buffalo, Lake Effect snow region.  My property is one mile from Lake Erie so w... 01/07/2010

Who loves snow?  Well, not everybody, but when one lives in western Pennsylvania snow is a fact of life.  As a child we loved playing in the snow, building snowmen and forts.  Remember snow angels?  Ice skating was very popular in my hometown.  I still have the skates I bought with babysitting money.  (My maiden name is written on the tongue.)  Coming to Erie for college I traded my skates for cross country skiis and now my Hubby & I own six acres of woods.          What better place to enjoy nature? If you listen to the Weather Channel, you will often hear Erie, PA mentioned often because of lake effect snow. 01/03/2010

    Part Time vs Full Time  ???   Such a common dilemma for many people who are considering a career in Real Estate. Can I start part time?   As a manager I was asked this question often.  My answer:  You will have a better chance of winning rolliing dice at the casino than doing Real Estate on a part time basis.     The reason is simple:  Being successful in Real Estate is a FULL TIME job and then some. 24/7 Commitment The Top Producers in any market will tell you that Real Estate is a 24/7 commitment to your clients.  Today's buyer/seller expect us to be accessible via phone, internet or in person to handle the details of the transaction from start to finish.  No excuses or they find a different agent.   Flexible Schedule  Oh yes, real estate agents have flexible schedules, but that f... 12/31/2009

    Lead Crystal:    So Beautiful    Yet So Dangerous? Beautiful Expensive Heirlooms Collectibles Treasured wedding gifts Dangerous:  lead can migrate from lead crystal into liquid.  EPA's standard for drinking water is 50 micrograms per liter Port wine stored for two days = 89 micrograms Port wine stored for four months = 2,000 ++++ micrograms White wine doubled its lead content within an hr and tripled it within 4 hrs Brandy stored for five years = 20,000 micrograms Enjoy the Beauty Lead crystal goblets, wine glasses and water glasses are safe for drinking   Serve wine, cognac or brandy in decanter                           DO NOT store wine, cognac or brandy in decanter  Be Safe Is Danger Lurking in Your Home? 12/27/2009

  Is Danger Lurking in Your Home ?                            Was your home built before 1978?  (Use of lead based paint common)   Does your home have beveled or leaded glass windows?  Stained glass windows?                                           Older plumbing fixtures with lead solder?  (Used between 1970-1985)     Heirloom or antique furniture?   Hobby & craft supplies?     Do your children play with painted toys?  Antique toys?  Imported toys?   Crystal stemware                             and  decanters   Ceramic dishes and pottery:     imported, older, handmade or poorly glazed               Cosmetics imported from other countries, esp. China   Imported food in cans w/lead solder   Older oil paintings   Imported candy in paper wrapper (Ink on wrapper may contain lead)          ... 12/27/2009

Career Change:  I Can't Afford to Make a Mistake   Should I?                 Yes??     No?? Maybe real estate ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?   The first e-mail I received this morning was a request for advice from someone who had contacted me previously about taking pre-licensing classes.   Mary,   As you know, I am considering taking classes for Real estate licensing.  My husband has talked to two people who have advised not to do it.  They both said there are too many real estate people, no houses are moving, it takes years to develop a business.  The problem is my situation is critical, I need to earn money fast.  I have an MBA but have not worked in years.  Am I wasting my time?  I would really appreciate any insight you have.  Financially we are on the brink of disaster and I cannot afford to mak... 12/27/2009

Mother's Recipe Box:  Pumpkin Pie   This recipe originally came from my grandmother.  Over the years I have teaked the spices just a little. The recipe makes two nine inch pies. I usually make one pie for Thanksgiving and freeze the extra pudding until Christmas. As a little boy Dave requested a pumpkin pie for his birthday on rather than a cake.  3 cups pumpkin  (I use large canned pumpkin) 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons molasses (My mother like BlackStrap Molasses--it's stronger) 1/4 tsp cloves 3 tsp cinnamon 2 tsp ginger  (Grandma recipe says 3 tsp) 1 tsp nutmeg  (I added nutmeg yrs ago) 1/8 tsp black pepper (I skipped it this year & like it better w/o) 1 tsp salt 4 eggs slightly beaten 1 can evaporated milk 4 oz. milk One pie shell (If you don't have evaporated milk, us... 12/26/2009

Homestyle Cooking with Mary:  Holiday Dinner for Two Years ago going home to Grandma's house then later to Mother's house were long time family traditions.  However, life changes and evolves and now it is just Dave & I for Christmas dinner and we love it.  After my father died my mother has refused to leave her home so we visit her either before or after Christmas.  (Visit to Mother's house)  Several days before Christmas the Yonkers Clan spent two days at Peek 'n Peak Ski Resort celebrating Christmas & Dave's birthday AND skiing. On Christmas Day the kids and grandkids who live in the Erie area come to our house fro brunch or lunch usually in waves, one family at a time on the way to their in-laws or other relatives.  By evening when the last family has left our house there is wrapping... 12/26/2009

Consumer Notice a.k.a. Golden Rule Consumer Notice  THIS IS NOT A CONTRACT Consumers of real estate services in Pennsylvania must receive the Consumer Notice at the initial interview with a real estate agent.       Despite the best intentions of RELRA (PA Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act)  . . . many consumers are still  . . . Confusedabout what real estate agents can do and can't do for them.   Let's simplify the Consumer Notice for them with the Golden Rule of Real Estate (Consumer Notice)   *** Do unto others as you want them to do unto you ***   Whether you act as Seller Agent, Buyer Agent, Dual Agent, Designated Agent or simply as a Transaction Licensee, remember that the Consumer is most interested in whether we .  .  .             *** Deal honestly ****      ***  Exerci... 12/26/2009

HOLIDAY BONUS   Are you hoping for Holiday Bonus?  $$$$$$$$   Cash or check For most people the term Bonus means money especially at holiday time. Per several feature articles in the Christmas edition of the Erie Times-News I learned how the Erie community was the beneficiary of a Holiday Bonus through the actions of several Erie-ites. These Erie-ites are not high profile celebrities.  They are just ordinary people who did a little something extra for others in 2009.   Let me highlight their stories.   Mark & Linda Aleksandrowicz  Organized a blood drive to benefit a fellow member of Erie City Council, Jim Thompson, who is suffering from bone-marrow cancer and has received 50 units of blood to date.  Blood drive is scheduled Jan. 6 from 11-3 in the lobby of Erie City Hall.  Mark plans t... 12/25/2009

Are You Contagious?   How's Your Attitude Today?   You might be thinking, "What my attitude have to do with being contagious?"       Get out of my way you id...         Who cares about the d... tree?       I can't stand Aunt Ida.                 Just put her gift in an old shoe box.     Why does Uncle Jack bring fruit cake every year?   Why am I always stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun?   Is your attitude  Contagious?   Smile Merry Christmas   12/24/2009