Tonight We’re Going to Party Like It’s 1989

I love to throw a party.  Any kind of party.  I've hosted Birthday parties, Halloween parties, Going-Away parties, Christmas parties, Dinner parties, Driveway parties, and We-Don't-Have-Anything-Better-To-Do-Tonight parties.  Actually, no theme is needed.  There are many of you reading this who have enjoyed a little strobe-light-Holle-basement-action in their day.  That basement has brought the masses a lot of joy over the years...

And real estate is always a popular topic of conversation.  Come to think of it, maybe that's why everyone comes over...along with the free booze.  People love talking about houses:  how much this one sold for, how terrible this one looks online, how this one sold in a day, etc., etc.

So why do I subject myself to late-night guests, large food and beverage bills and massive clean-ups?  Because I like to surround myself with energy.  Because I like my home to be alive.

Now here's something wild:  What if I merged my two passions in life, entertaining and real estate?  I often think back with nostalgia to my high school job. Back in the late-80's, I worked as a receptionist in a real estate firm outside of Chicago.  The building was on a busy intersection of town with lots of hustle and bustle.  People were always popping in to talk to the agents (who went through Aqua Net and Marlboro Reds like it was nobody's business).  The place was hopping with activity.  It was alive.

So, yep, I did it.  This month I opened Highgarden Real Estate, The Carrie Holle Group, in the heart of downtown Carmel.   Oh...it is everything I could have hoped for.  Life!  Energy!  Hustle and bustle!  My team and I are throwing a party each and every day and talking to all kinds of people about something they love to talk about:  how much this house sold for, how terrible this one looks online, how this one sold in a day, etc., etc.  But we're also taking it up a notch and talking about how much we can sell your house for, how we can make your home look amazing online, how we can sell your house in a day.

And how cool is it to actually talk to a real live person face-to-face instead of some voice from a cardboard sign or the internet?  Yes, we're going retro, baby.  All the way back to 1989.

So come on in and visit with us.  We'll help you with everything real estate...buying, selling, building, financing, investing.  Sit on our pretty green sofa, have a drink, and take a load off.  If you're really lucky, we'll have out a bowl of chips and the strobe light on.  But, unlike my basement, this party ends at 9.

The Hostess with Mostest,
Carrie

There’s No 'I' in Team

I know this may come as a huge shock to some of you, but I'm an only child.  Usually, I forget all about it.  Then there are times like yesterday when everyone is posting pictures all over Facebook for National Siblings Day and other times that I have to do certain things...like share.

There are pros and cons of being an only.  The pros:  getting all the love and attention (and Christmas presents) you desire, being self-sufficient, and being fiercely independent.  The cons:  getting all the love and attention (and Christmas presents) you desire, being self-sufficient, and being fiercely independent.

A Realtor is a great profession for an only child.  Let's think about it.  We get our name and picture splashed all over the place.  We are a one-man-show and are in charge of our own business.  Our success or failure is solely in our own hands.  We can work without anyone telling us what to do...maybe that isn't an only-child thing...maybe that's a Carrie-thing.

About six months ago, I had an epiphany.  What if real estate was a team sport as opposed to a single-player sport?  What if I could do more for my clients with a group of competent people working with me?  What if I sought out the most amazing, strong, intelligent, and driven women I could find?  What if I even, gasp, threw in some other only children?

I did just that.  And O-M-G.  The results are amazing and totally contradictory to the Only Child's Creed.  Sharing is fun. The ideas, advice and suggestions I get from many far surpass what just little ol' me can produce.  Seclusion is boring.  Yes, we all need a little alone-time, but when our group is together, the office becomes alive (and super loud).  Many are greater than one.  What we can do by combining efforts and hard work blows anything that one person can do alone out of the water.  It's fierce.  It's magical.

So I invite you to meet this awesome team who, together, can list or sell a home like nobody's business.  Reinvent the wheel?  Hell ya, Baby!  Many parts make a mighty whole.  Thinking about starting your own group?  Awesome.  Just don't touch this one because this one is mine.

Only is lonely,
Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

Ms. Nostradamus Berkus Cochran Schwab Freud

Oh, to be a kid again.  Remember what it was like to dream about what you wanted to be when you grew up?  I went through all kinds of ideas:  a pediatrician, a high fashion model, a ballerina, a newscaster, a media attorney, and a spy (the latter was my most recent wish).  But then life takes a few twists and turns, and we end up where we are.

Being a Realtor isn't the most glamorous or exciting career title.  However, there are many, many vocations wrapped up in this one.  I think the word "Realtor" means "one who wears many hats" or "one who is just plain crazy" in some ancient language.  Buying and selling houses is actually a very small portion of what we do.  Life would be much easier if we were simply sales people. 

Bestie.  Realtors spend a lot of time with our clients.  We get to know you well.  We see you happy, and we see you cry.  We know your life story, and your children and your goldfish.  We are Facebook friends with you and follow you on Instagram.  Seriously, we talk to you more than our own mothers. 

Psychologist.  Buying and selling a home is emotional (that is an understatement).  During this time people act in ways they normally wouldn't.  It is up to us to listen, comfort, and guide clients though their emotions.  This, in turn, leads us running to our own psychologist.

Decorator.  When selling, we possess the tools, or hire someone who does, to stage your home to sell (yes, this means putting all the Precious Moments figurines in a box).  This is even more important when buying.  How can you arrange your sectional to fit in this space?  What can you do to this kitchen to make it look less...well...ugly?  We've got your answers.

Phone Operator.  You may think this is an extinct craft.  Good news!  The phone operator still exists...in the form of your real estate agent.  Our phone rings and dings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We are happy to be at your service. 

Visionary.  Look into our crystal ball.  What do you see?  Appreciation of 11%?  Fun neighbors?  A Walmart being built behind this home in five years?  Only we have the answers.

Financial Advisor.  Interest rates, mortgages, closing costs, taxes, appreciation and depreciation are all are part of our everyday conversations.  We help you avoid dealing with Mr. Foreclosure Man or Mr. Tax Lien Fellow or Mr. What-the-Hell-Did-I-Do Guy down the road.

Jester.  We don't mime or juggle (well, maybe some), but we have to bring levity to certain situations.  This is serious business, and good Realtors can lighten the mood....especially me...I'm super funny.

Attorney.  There is a lot of legal mumbo jumbo that Realtors oversee.  A home is usually the largest purchase one will make.  There are a ton of moving parts to a real estate transaction, and we are trained to deal with it.  We hold a lot of the liability.  You're welcome.

Bouncer.  Not on my watch!  Don't schedule an apportionment to look at a listing unless you are qualified.  Don't send us over an offer unless it's legit.  Don't try to bully our clients in any way.  We're here to protect our clients, and if someone is messing with you, we'll throw their butts out.

So there you have it.  Jack of all trades and master of none?  Nope.  The great Realtors fine tune their craft to be exceptional in all of these categories.  Just don't call me at 2 a.m. and ask me to juggle while reading your inspection response.

Wishfully Thinking,

Carrie, P.I.

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

The Ten Personalities of Realtors

Throughout history researchers have attempted to categorize people by their personality types.  Are you a Caregiver?  Peacemaker?  Nurturer?  Doer?  It's fun to read through these lists to see which one you believe yourself to be.  Having worked in the real estate industry for twenty-plus years, I've come to realize that we Realtors are a breed of our own. Therefore, we need our own classifications.


The Ally.  You are friendly and accommodating.  You understand that everyone has one common goal:  to get a house sold and closed.  There's no making waves for you.  Cooperation is your key to success.  Other agents will totally accept your friend request on Facebook.

The Neophyte.  You've been in the industry for less than a year.  Your idea of doing industry research is checking out Miley Cyrus' latest digs on Instagram.  You won't let studying an inspection report or learning about financing get in the way of doing Jager Bombs in Broad Ripple.  If you don't get serious, you'll be back at Steak-n-Shake serving up cheese fries.

The Scavenger.  You will do just about anything to get a listing.  Reduce your commission to $500 to beat your competitors?  No problem!  Rebate a buyer 50%?  Yep.  Sorry, Charlie, the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies to you.

The Basket-Case.  Your emotions are out of control.  The sky is always falling and the smallest blip turns your life upside down.  Take a deep breath, my friend.  You will get through this, and life will be OK.  However, if you can't seem to make it through this transaction, my third grader has an extra chill pill you can have.

The Mentor.  You've a true pro in the industry.  You serve as a teacher and enjoy helping other agents in any way.  Sharing advice and resources gives you pleasure.  Working with you is a good as a cup of chicken noodle soup and a fuzzy blanket.

The Magician.  You're skilled in the art of illusion.  You have some awesome tricks up your sleeve:  vanishing and reappearing at just the right time, walking on water, catching a bullet, etc.  If only your magic skills were as good as your people skills.  Try your hocus pocus with another crowd.

The Bully.  You are a total know-it-all.  In your mind, nobody can hold a candle to your expertise.  Your holier-than-thou attitude is apparent.  You badger other agents with your strong opinions.  When someone disagrees with you, you attack.  We can all see right through your self-esteem issues.  The bullied has become the bully.

The Administrator.  You get things done.  Your organizational skills are stellar.   If you had the time to memorize the covenants and restrictions for each of your listings, you would.  Your world is ruled by checklists and order.  We thank you for keeping us in line and helping make us look like we are as organized as you.

The Fossil.  You've been in the industry for more than 50 years.  Your glamour shot is awesome, even if it's 20 years old.  The internet baffles you.  You still go to your clients' homes to get their real signature on a real piece of paper.  It takes you longer to send a five word text than it would to hand-write the Gettysburg Address.  Time to hang up your blazer, baby.

The Snake.  You come across as such a pleasant person when you are face-to-face.  But, oh, when it's just the right moment....zing!  You are the champ of back-handed compliments.  Negative selling is your forte.  News flash:  talking smack about other agents only makes you look like the creep you are...zing!


So, what kind of agent are you?  If you can't figure it out, just ask me.  And remember, we are all in this together.  Cooperation and kindness make life easier for everyone.



The Golden Rule rules,
Dr. Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

The 'One' Habit of Highly 'Scaredy-Cat' People

I've been given several motivational and self-help books by friends and colleagues over the years.  Rather than feeling insulted ("You think I need improvement??  Pshaw!"), I read them with an open mind.  Well, let me be more specific:  I skim the titles of the chapters and maybe read the first ten pages.  Around page 11, I realize I know everything already and don't need the help.

Most of these books relate to the art of excelling in business and motivation:  How to Win Friends and Influence People, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Awaken the Giant Within, Drive, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff.  I am literally reading the titles off the bookshelf next to me.  There are several more, but I don't want to turn this into a real snooze.

The people who gift me these little gems care about me and are looking out for me.  They know something that I refuse to acknowledge:  to be great in business, any business, change is necessary.  So what do I need to change?  I need to put my tail in between my legs and ask for referrals.  Sigh.

For some reason, this is incredibly difficult for me to do.  I'm not sure why.  I'm very outgoing and real, but I can't udder the words, "Do you know somebody who's looking for a home?" or "Tell all your friends about me!" or "I would really love your business."  It was the same thing when I moved around as a kid.  "Will you be my friend?" would never have been uttered - I would have rather jabbed my eyes out.

In my field, real estate for those of you a day late and a dollar short,  referrals are the heartbeat of success.  Sales just don't fall out of the sky from the Great Listing God.  It is an active pursuit.  This is how business is done in the real world.  It isn't because you saw someone's glamour shot in the newspaper and thought, "Gee, she looks like she really knows how to negotiate."  It's because someone you know and respect gives you a suggestion, or it's because I ask for it.

So, I put myself before you friends, and humbly ask:  Do you know of anyone who wants to buy or sell a home?  Because I can do it.  I can do it like nobody can.  I challenge any other Realtor out there to do a better job or work harder at it than I will.

There.  Deep breath.  Jeez, I may just  have to write my own book now.  I'll let you know if I do, and if so, I may even have the guts to ask you to buy it.



Thank you in advance for telling everybody you've ever met about me,
Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com